Viatris pushes better heart care in Southeast Asia
Viatris Inc. has brought together 101 healthcare professionals from across Southeast Asia for a regional forum aimed at improving cardiovascular care through scientific exchange, personalized treatment and digital health solutions.
The one-day CV Masterclass 2026, held in the Philippines, tackled key issues in cardiovascular disease management, including hypertension, lipid disorders, heart failure, blood pressure variability and digital health innovations.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and illness worldwide. Asia accounted for more than 61 percent of global cardiovascular disease deaths in 2021, according to data cited by Viatris.
Projections from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the Global Burden of Disease indicate that cardiovascular mortality could rise by 91.2 percent between 2025 and 2050, reaching 24.1 million deaths by 2050.
“The cardiovascular landscape continues to evolve, and so must the way we address it,” said Dr. Nagendra Ramanjinappa, head of Viatris Medical Affairs for KLAM and I-AM.
“The CV Masterclass provides an opportunity to deepen understanding among multidisciplinary experts. By bringing different perspectives and experiences into one conversation, we hope to connect scientific advances with real-world clinical experience and identify approaches that can be meaningfully applied across the region,” he added.
During the forum, experts emphasized the importance of tailoring cardiovascular treatment to each patient’s risk profile, medical needs and changing condition.
Professor Ian Wilkinson, past president of the British and Irish Society and professor of therapeutics at the University of Cambridge, underscored the role of early diagnosis and intervention in reducing the risk of complications such as stroke, heart attack and heart failure.
He also outlined the “4S” approach to blood pressure control, which covers salt reduction or replacement, appropriate medication and dosage, confirmation of suspected resistant hypertension through ambulatory or home blood pressure monitoring, and assessment for secondary hypertension caused by other conditions.
Dr. Alejandro Bimbo Diaz, president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension, highlighted the importance of monitoring blood pressure variability, or fluctuations in blood pressure over time, to better understand a patient’s health and potential risks.
“We can think of blood pressure variability like the weather. How it shifts throughout the day, across weeks, or between periods provides a much clearer picture of a patient’s overall health and underlying clinical factors,” Diaz said
Viatris also launched the BEAT App, or BPV Engagement & Adherence Tool, during the event. The application is designed to help patients and healthcare professionals monitor blood pressure trends and support clinical decisions.
Its features include trend graphs, a clinician dashboard, educational modules and reminders.
The company also cited its Patient Academy, NCD Academy and Medical Information Platform as initiatives intended to expand patient education, strengthen healthcare professionals’ capabilities and improve access to medical resources.
Viatris said the regional masterclass forms part of its broader efforts to support cardiovascular care through education, innovation and partnerships.