Siemens Healthineers unveils blood tests for Alzheimer's as stock struggles

Siemens Healthineers has introduced two new blood-based assays for Alzheimer's research, aiming to provide less invasive alternatives to traditional lumbar punctures. The company also faces financial challenges, including a 28 percent drop in stock value over the past year and a shrinking diagnostics division.

The new tests, part of a broader push into neurology diagnostics, come as Siemens prepares to reduce its majority stake in Healthineers by distributing shares to its own investors.

The two new assays, Atellica IM pTau217 and Atellica IM Brain Derived Tau (BDTau), are designed to detect key biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease. Both run on the Atellica analyser platform, which is already widely used in laboratories. For now, they remain approved only for research, with plans to transition them into clinical diagnostics for broader commercial use.

Beyond Alzheimer's, the company offers a CE-marked neurofilament light chain assay for assessing multiple sclerosis risk. A separate ApoE-ε4 test, linked to both Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases, is also in development. These additions expand Healthineers' biomarker menu on existing infrastructure, targeting a growing market with nearly 10 million new dementia cases diagnosed annually worldwide.

Financially, the company reported a 3.8 percent revenue increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. However, adjusted earnings per share fell by 3 percent to €0.49. The diagnostics division saw a 3 percent revenue decline, largely due to weak performance in China. Management has warned of a potential €500 million tariff impact for the full year.

Siemens also announced plans to distribute 30 percent of Healthineers' shares directly to its shareholders, effectively ending its controlling stake. Further details on this move are expected in early Q2 2026.

The new Alzheimer's assays strengthen Siemens Healthineers' position in neurology diagnostics, though their clinical adoption remains pending. With financial pressures from declining diagnostics revenue and market challenges in China, the company is balancing innovation with strategic restructuring. The planned share distribution will further reshape its ownership structure in the coming year.