Philips and ASCI Forge Alliance to Combat Asia's Heart Disease Crisis

SINGAPORE – May 28, 2026 – Global health technology leader Royal Philips and the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASCI) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), launching a three-year collaboration aimed at strengthening cardiovascular diagnostic capabilities across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The agreement, formalized during the 19th ASCI Congress in Singapore, combines Philips' technological prowess with ASCI's extensive clinical network to address the escalating burden of heart disease.

This strategic alliance is poised to enhance medical education, promote clinical excellence, and foster a new era of knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals. By focusing on advanced imaging, the partnership seeks to empower clinicians with the tools and training necessary to deliver timely, accurate diagnoses in the fight against the region's most formidable public health challenge.

Confronting a Regional Health Crisis

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the staggering statistics of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Asia Pacific. CVD remains the leading cause of death across the region, responsible for over 12 million fatalities in 2021 alone and placing an immense strain on healthcare systems. The APAC region is a mosaic of diverse economies, cultures, and healthcare infrastructures, leading to significant disparities in patient access to advanced diagnostic tools and specialized care.

Healthcare providers in many parts of the region grapple with a shortage of trained specialists, an over-reliance on clinical guidelines developed for Western populations, and a lack of access to cutting-edge diagnostic equipment. These challenges are compounded by rising patient volumes and increasing pressure on medical workforces. Timely and precise imaging is critical for effective treatment planning, but its availability and quality can vary dramatically from one country to another, and even between urban and rural centers within the same nation. The new partnership aims to directly address these gaps by creating a more standardized, high-quality approach to cardiovascular imaging.

A Blueprint for Medical Advancement

The collaboration is built upon a comprehensive, three-pronged strategy designed to create a sustainable impact on regional healthcare. The core focus areas include academic seminars and continuous education programs, hands-on clinical training through reference sites and fellowship programs, and cross-border knowledge-sharing initiatives that will connect institutions and professionals across the continent.

This framework moves beyond a simple technology transfer, aiming instead to cultivate a self-sustaining ecosystem of expertise. By establishing reference sites, the partnership will create centers of excellence where clinicians can receive practical, hands-on training with the latest imaging technologies. Fellowship programs will nurture the next generation of cardiovascular imaging specialists, while ongoing seminars will keep established professionals abreast of the latest techniques and best practices.

"Advancing cardiovascular imaging excellence requires strong collaboration between clinical communities and industry," said Dr. Jongmin John Lee, President of the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging and a Professor at Kyungpook National University in South Korea. "By partnering with Philips, we hope to expand learning opportunities, deepen clinical insights and strengthen connections among imaging specialists across Asia Pacific."

The Technology at the Heart of the Partnership

At the core of this initiative is Philips' portfolio of advanced imaging solutions, which are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic confidence and workflow efficiency. While the press release mentions AI-enabled technologies, the impact lies in specific innovations designed to solve real-world clinical problems. These include Philips' dual-AI MR technology, which automates and accelerates cardiac MRI scans, and next-generation CT systems that provide high-resolution images with lower radiation doses.

In ultrasound, a cornerstone of cardiac diagnostics, platforms like the EPIQ CVx system use AI to automate complex measurements, improving the consistency and speed of echocardiograms. Such automation is crucial for handling high patient loads and ensuring that less-experienced operators can still produce high-quality, reproducible results. Similarly, in the catheterization lab, Philips' Azurion image-guided therapy platform integrates imaging and data to streamline complex procedures, improving outcomes for both patients and medical staff.

"Imaging solutions play a critical role in enabling timely and confident clinical decision-making in cardiovascular care," noted Chris Kim, Head of Imaging for Philips APAC. "Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate adoption of cardiovascular imaging best practices across APAC, helping healthcare providers deliver more consistent, high-quality care to more patients."

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Market

Beyond its clinical importance, the alliance represents a significant strategic move for Philips in the rapidly growing APAC healthcare market. The region's diagnostic imaging market is projected to expand significantly in the coming years, and major industry players, including GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, and Fujifilm, are all vying for a greater share. Competitors are also actively investing in educational initiatives, recognizing that technology adoption is deeply linked to professional training and clinical integration.

By partnering with ASCI, a respected and influential clinical body, Philips gains more than just a distribution channel; it gains credibility and deep-rooted access to the very community it seeks to serve. This collaboration allows the company to align its technological innovations with the direct needs of clinicians on the ground, fostering loyalty and ensuring its solutions are effectively deployed. The MOU provides a framework for embedding Philips' technology within the region's clinical fabric, positioning the company not merely as a vendor but as a fundamental partner in advancing regional health outcomes. This deep integration is a powerful competitive advantage in a market where long-term relationships and clinical trust are paramount.