Boehringer partners with Heart of Australia to back rural lung cancer screening rollout

Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into a three-year partnership with Heart of Australia, stepping into the role of National Lung Health Partner for the mobile healthcare provider. The agreement is an expansion of the company’s existing collaboration and a broader push to improve lung health equity across regional, rural and remote Australia.

Heart of Australia was appointment by the government to deliver the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) across regional and remote Australia. Through its fleet of mobile ‘Heart Trucks’, equipped with low-dose CT imaging and respiratory diagnostic technology, the organisation plans to reach around 50 rural and remote communities annually across every state and the Northern Territory by 2027.

While the NLCSP is primarily designed to improve early detection of lung cancer, a key research and development area for Boehringer, it is also expected to generate earlier identification of other serious respiratory conditions.

“A pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis often comes many years after the onset of symptoms. In this time, the disease can already have had devastating impacts on quality of life and prognosis,” said Ewan Wylie, Respiratory Scientist and Head of Operations and Business Development at Heart of Australia.

“We don’t always know what causes fibrosis – or lung tissue scarring – but we do know exposure to airborne hazards, such as dust and pollution, and those inherently found in agriculture, forestry, mining, construction and manufacturing industries, are recognised risks. People living outside of the major cities often live and work in higher risk environments, yet they are least able to access timely specialist assessment and multidisciplinary care,” he said.

“For decades, Boehringer Ingelheim has been committed to improving outcomes for people living with serious respiratory diseases such as interstitial lung diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD),” said Ed Hollywood, General Manager and Head of Human Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim Australia and New Zealand.

“This new partnership with Heart of Australia is a natural extension of that legacy. We’re aligning our longstanding focus on lung health with a practical, community-based approach that helps bring assessment and referral pathways closer to home for patients who have faced delays and distance for far too long,” he added.

Dr Rolf Gomes, Founder and Cardiologist at Heart of Australia, said collaboration remains central to improving healthcare equity across the country and welcomed the expanded support.

“Boehringer Ingelheim understands that improving lung health outcomes requires more than innovation alone. It requires equitable access, earlier detection and collaboration,” Dr Gomes said. “With Boehringer’s support, Heart of Australia looks forward to expanding the impact of our mobile clinics beyond earlier detection to helping lung health patients navigate the next steps in their care journey with the speed and clarity which underpins better outcomes.”

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