HistoIndex Partners with Houston Research Institute to Advance AI-Based MASH Diagnostics

HistoIndex Partners with Houston Research Institute to Advance AI-Based MASH Diagnostics

By, Admin 22 January 2026

HistoIndex, a pioneer in AI-driven digital pathology for chronic liver disease, has announced a strategic partnership with Houston Research Institute (HRI) to expand advanced diagnostic testing for Metabolic Dysfunction–associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

HRI is a leading US research institute conducting clinical trials in hepatology and gastroenterology, with a strong focus on metabolic liver disease.

Expanding HistoIndex’s clinical footprint in the US

The collaboration strengthens HistoIndex’s growing network of commercial partnerships with hepatology and gastroenterology centres across the US and Europe. Through this partnership:

  • HistoIndex will provide advanced diagnostic testing services for MASH
  • The goal is more precise disease assessment and improved clinical decision-making
  • AI-enabled pathology will be integrated into routine clinical workflows

Four HRI centres gain access to AI-enhanced diagnostics

Under the agreement, all four HRI medical centres will adopt HistoIndex’s integrated diagnostic platform:

  • Houston Research Institute Pasadena
  • Houston Research Institute Sugar Land
  • Houston Research Institute
  • Houston Research Institute Medical Center

The platform combines:

  • Expert histopathological evaluation by experienced liver pathologists
  • AI-based biopsy analysis for deeper, quantitative insights

Introducing FibroSIGHT® Plus for MASH

In addition to standard-of-care histological evaluation—covering:

  • Steatosis
  • Lobular inflammation
  • Ballooning
  • Fibrosis

HistoIndex will offer FibroSIGHT® Plus, its proprietary AI-based diagnostic test.

FibroSIGHT Plus delivers:

  • Fully quantitative measurement of liver fibrosis
  • Greater sensitivity to disease heterogeneity
  • Improved assessment of fibrosis progression and treatment response

Leadership perspectives

“Partnering with Houston Research Institute represents a significant step forward in bringing quantitative, AI-enabled pathology into MASH clinical care,” said Dr. Yukti Choudhury, Chief Development Officer at HistoIndex. “By centralizing traditional and AI-enhanced workflows, we streamline turnaround times while maintaining rigorous quality standards.”

From the clinical side, Dr. Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHS, Director at Houston Research Institute, highlighted the diagnostic impact:

“Integrating expert histopathology with quantitative AI-based fibrosis analysis strengthens our diagnostic capabilities and supports more informed clinical decision-making across our liver centres.”

Why AI-based pathology matters in MASH?

MASH is a progressive form of MASLD characterized by:

  • Steatosis
  • Ballooning degeneration
  • Inflammation
  • Progressive fibrosis

If untreated, it can lead to:

  • Cirrhosis
  • Liver failure
  • Increased liver cancer risk

While liver biopsy remains the gold standard, traditional categorical scoring systems:

  • Struggle to capture disease complexity
  • Offer limited sensitivity to subtle fibrosis changes
  • Are imperfect surrogate endpoints in clinical trials

This has driven demand for AI-based digital pathology that delivers objective, quantitative, and reproducible assessments.

About HistoIndex

Founded in 2010, HistoIndex develops stain-free, fully automated imaging solutions for visualizing and quantifying fibrosis in biological tissues.

By combining:

  • Advanced biophotonic imaging
  • AI-based analysis

HistoIndex enables more accurate assessment of fibrosis progression and drug efficacy, supporting both clinical care and clinical trials.

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