New Digital Stethoscope Solution from Boehringer and Eko Enhances Early Detection of Canine Heart Disease

New Digital Stethoscope Solution from Boehringer and Eko Enhances Early Detection of Canine Heart Disease

(IN BRIEF) Boehringer Ingelheim and Eko Health have partnered to launch a canine-specific heart murmur detection solution in 2026. Leveraging Boehringer’s veterinary cardiology insights and proprietary algorithm alongside Eko’s AI-enabled digital stethoscopes and mobile app, the tool will help veterinarians detect early-stage murmurs of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with greater accuracy. MMVD affects up to 15% of dogs and is a major cause of canine mortality. The integrated system allows clinicians to record, visualize, document, and share murmur sounds, linking findings to evidence-based guidelines. This collaboration aims to improve early diagnosis, facilitate timely treatment, and extend dogs’ lifespans.

(PRESS RELEASE) INGELHEIM, 11-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, and Eko Health, renowned for its AI-driven digital stethoscopes, have formed a strategic alliance to enhance early detection of canine heart disease. By combining Boehringer’s canine cardiology expertise and proprietary algorithms—developed with input from top veterinary cardiologists—with Eko’s advanced AI analysis and mobile app technology, the partners will equip veterinarians with a canine-specific murmur detection tool launching in 2026.

Heart murmurs—sounds caused by turbulent blood flow when valves do not close properly—are a hallmark of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), which affects 10–15% of dogs in their lifetime and is a leading cause of canine morbidity and mortality. Traditional stethoscope exams can miss subtle or early-stage murmurs, especially in noisy clinics or time-limited appointments. The new system integrates Eko’s FDA-cleared digital stethoscope hardware with Boehringer’s algorithm in a purpose-built mobile app, enabling vets to visualize, record, and share murmur data, and link every finding back to evidence-based sources.

“Early MMVD diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to extend dogs’ lives,” said Dr. Erich Schött, Head of Pet Therapeutics and Pet Vaccines at Boehringer Ingelheim. “This collaboration will simplify murmur detection, giving veterinarians—and pet owners—greater confidence and more years with their canine companions.”

Connor Landgraf, CEO and co-founder of Eko Health, added, “By marrying Boehringer’s leadership in animal cardiology with Eko’s AI-powered detection and digital platform, we’ll help practitioners identify heart disease sooner and improve outcomes for millions of pets.”

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business

Boehringer Ingelheim provides first-in-class innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health. For more information, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.

About Eko Health

Eko Health is a leading digital health company advancing how healthcare professionals detect and monitor heart and lung disease with its portfolio of digital stethoscopes, patient and provider software, and AI-powered analysis. Its FDA-cleared platform, with over 650,000 devices sold to clinicians globally, allows them to detect earlier and with higher accuracy, manage treatment effectively, and ultimately give their patients the best care possible. Eko Health is headquartered in Emeryville, California, with over $165 million in funding from ARTIS Ventures, DigiTx Partners, Double Point Ventures, EDBI, Highland Capital Partners, LG Technology Ventures, Mayo Clinic, Morningside Technology Ventures Limited, NTTVC, Questa Capital, and others. For more information, visit www.ekohealth.com.

References

1 Hezzell M. Pathology and prognosis of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease. In pract.2018 Mar; 40 (S1): 3-6.
2 Häggström, J et al. “New insights into degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2004 vol 34, 5: 1209-1226. doi: 10.1016/J.CVSM.2004.05.002.
3 Keene, Bruce W et al. “ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs.” Journal of veterinary internal medicine vol. 33,3 (2019): 1127-1140. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15488

Media Contact:

Mi-Kyung Lee-Lange
Animal Health Communications Lead
email: mi-kyung.lee-lange@boehringer-ingelheim.com

SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim