Read the Conversation
Conversation highlights:
- Portfolio Expansion: Strong year-on-year growth in Guerbet’s MRI portfolio in South Africa, with new registrations in the pipeline and first steps into interventional imaging through congress participation and physician training.
- AI & Data: Artificial intelligence is viewed as crucial to imaging, with Guerbet/Intrasense united by a shared vision to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to medical imaging into radiologists' clinical routines. Private healthcare more readily adopts AI, while rural/underserved areas face access challenges.
- Early Diagnostics Advocacy: Urged policymakers to view early diagnostics as an investment, citing breast cancer as a key example—early detection can save lives, lower healthcare costs, and strengthen families and economies.
- MedTech Master Plan Support: Praised South Africa’s MedTech 2035 vision for job creation, local manufacturing, and competitiveness, stressing the importance of public–private partnerships and regional capacity building.
- Education & Partnerships: Highlighted initiatives such as radiologist workshops, roadshows featuring European experts, collaborations with NGOs to address diagnostic gaps, and advocacy for women’s health. Emphasized that education and access to reliable health data remain the sector’s most critical needs.
EF: Could you tell us about 2025 and how it has been from your perspective?
ML: Across the business, we examined ways to enhance our workflow, from the production platform to the end user. That meant maximizing profits, reviewing volumes, and creating value more strategically. Strategic initiatives were rolled out this year, and we made real progress focusing on them. We focused on South Africa while also keeping an eye on other African markets, particularly Botswana and Namibia, where we spent meaningful time. Overall, it has been a good year, albeit demanding. As we approach year-end with several initiatives still underway, our focus now shifts to taking strategic actions that will help us meet our goals and finish the year strong.
EF: From the business and portfolio side of things, last year, you were expanding your MRI portfolio. How has this situation evolved since we last spoke, and what are your current priorities?
ML: We’ve been focusing on growing our diagnostic imaging portfolio in South Africa, with strong year-to-year growth in the MRI segment. We also submitted a new registration for an MRI contrast media with improved safety profiles and lower doses, which has already been launched in other countries and is now tracking the registration process with SAHPRA.
At the same time, we’re exploring ways to expand both our diagnostic and X-ray portfolios, while building partnerships to maximize our impact, especially as a small team in South Africa with promising opportunities ahead. This year, we also trained our team in interventional imaging and will be placing a greater focus on that area by exploring new indications. We’re excited to attend our first interventional imaging congress in October, where we’ll look to build relationships in the embolization space with healthcare professionals. It’s a new field for us in South Africa, and we’re eager to see how we can grow and support healthcare professionals there.
EF: From your perspective, how can sub-Saharan Africa and the region you oversee leverage its data and put into place more effective models whilst balancing the data privacy side of things?
ML: In healthcare and imaging, a recurring question is how we protect patient data and maintain its integrity. This is still being worked on, both in South Africa and globally. AI is becoming a big part of imaging. It helps speed up diagnosis and improves patient outcomes. Since June 2023, Guerbet has been an Intrasense shareholder, making it a subsidiary of the Group and sealing our strategic alliance to serve oncology medical imaging. With a shared vision to lead in AI imaging and to bring those tools into the daily work of radiologists. The ambition is to push the limits of medical imaging and explore how new technology can deliver better solutions for healthcare professionals.
In South Africa, private healthcare has been quicker to adopt AI platforms, while the government sector and rural areas face barriers. We know that early diagnosis helps people live longer and better, but the reality is that many rural clinics lack access to imaging equipment, let alone AI. This gap leaves many patients without the opportunity for a timely diagnosis. The key topic of the women's conference this year was the impact of advanced imaging on women's healthcare, a concept that can also be applied to any area of healthcare. At Guerbet, we dedicate a significant amount of time to researching and developing new products. Guerbet allocates significant resources to innovation, with more than 9% of sales (as of December 31, 2024) and 200 dedicated employees working in 4 research centers.
One of the biggest gaps we see is at the point where patients first need to be diagnosed. That's where partnerships with companies and NGOs become vital. Mobile units that deliver diagnostic services help bridge that gap and support better clinical outcomes. If patients aren't diagnosed, they can't start treatment, and this is an area where Guerbet can make a difference. Our role often involves higher-risk patients who require precise clinical diagnosis and ongoing follow-up. But before reaching that stage, patients first need access to diagnosis and entry into the system. Collaborating with organizations that make this possible helps us close the gap.
Looking at Africa, integrating AI will be easier in private healthcare settings, whereas regions with limited diagnostic capabilities will require more innovative approaches. Working with NGOs and companies to provide access at that level creates the foundation. Once diagnostic capacity is in place, AI can be integrated to support larger patient volumes, enabling virtual or remote radiologist screenings to expedite turnaround times. There is still a great deal of work ahead, and the challenges remain substantial.
EF: How do you think we can shift the mindset of policymakers to make early diagnostics and policies around this seen as a positive investment rather than an expense?
ML: It starts with the right conversations and the right platforms. If we take breast cancer as an example, a lot of women don't go for screening. When screening is available and people go early, the chances of a full recovery are very high. But in rural and underserved areas, there are barriers. Some women have to travel long distances, pay for transport they can't afford, or even give up a day's wages just to get diagnosed. Because of that, many only get diagnosed at a late stage, and that's when the survival rate decreases and the strain on the healthcare system increases.
Early cancer diagnosis transforms outcomes. When detected early, treatment is faster, less complex, and recovery can be complete—giving patients a real chance at 100% recovery and contributing to a healthier society. Take breast cancer, for example. Each year, approximately 1.7 million women in South Africa are diagnosed—not just with breast cancer, but also with cancers of the female genital tract. Together, these account for nearly 1% of all deaths in the country. That’s a significant figure, especially when you consider the broader impact: when a woman’s health is compromised, it affects families, communities, and the economy. It’s a ripple effect that weakens the very fabric of society.
That’s why strategic investment in early diagnosis matters. With better diagnostic data, the cost of late-stage treatment becomes starkly clear—far higher than the cost of early screening. Early diagnosis not only saves lives but also reduces the burden on the healthcare system.
EF: What can we collectively do to advance the South African MedTech industry?
ML: We offer a range of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital solutions, and AI technologies, each with its own unique characteristics. Pharmaceuticals have long-established regulations that are well enforced, whereas medical device regulations are relatively new and are still being implemented. In South Africa, we’re not yet at the stage of having individual medical device regulations like many other countries.
The MedTech Master Plan presents a strong and forward-looking vision for the next decade, extending to 2035. It prioritizes capacity building, strategic public-private partnerships, investment attraction, and job creation. Importantly, it also recognizes the role of digital solutions and AI in streamlining processes and supporting broader healthcare improvements across Africa. It’s an encouraging initiative with the potential to drive growth, development, and competitiveness.
Local manufacturing is a key opportunity. Companies that produce locally stand to benefit more than those relying on imports, making it a compelling incentive to invest in domestic production. When we examine import and export data, we see that a significant share of products is distributed across the continent from South Africa. If we can expand local manufacturing, strengthen export capacity, and build a solid production base, the impact on revenue and employment would be substantial.
We’re talking about thousands of jobs—a major opportunity in a country where unemployment remains high. It’s also about empowering young people with skills and giving them a chance to contribute meaningfully to the economy. That’s what excites me. As we continue to grow across Africa, I believe local production is within reach, and I look forward to seeing that vision become reality.
EF: Could you tell us about the initiatives you are growing and anything that excites you in Africa and South Africa?
ML: We have some excellent programs here in South Africa. Our core focus is on building strong relationships, identifying gaps, and developing solutions to close them, enabling healthcare practices to operate more efficiently. Education and professional development remain top priorities, as we work to strengthen the sector and support long-term impact. Recently, we hosted a roadshow that brought key opinion leaders from Europe to meet with radiologists and healthcare professionals nationwide. They shared insights on different initiatives, products, and approaches. We’ve also tapped into initiatives from Guerbet in Europe. For example, they’ve developed an interventional imaging workshop, and we support South African radiologists to attend master classes there. These included lectures and animal workshops led by specialists in various fields.
The feedback has been encouraging. Those who attended came back and shared their learning with colleagues and even at universities, which extends the impact. We plan to keep doing that. We also take part in congresses, both to share knowledge and to strengthen our ties with radiology societies. Looking ahead, we already have an exciting lineup planned for next year, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now.
EF: How do you relate your work in Guerbet, your innovations, and impactful leadership with the conversations you had at the recent Standard Bank Top Women’s event?
ML: For this event, we were focusing on women’s health. The idea was to explore how we can establish relationships and partnerships that truly collaborate to enhance access to healthcare and imaging. There’s a quote from Mother Teresa I like: “I can do things you can’t, you can do things I can’t, but together we can do great things.” That captures it well.
The aim was to showcase what Guerbet does as a company, while also creating meaningful connections between attendees and the partners and NGOs we collaborate with—ensuring they have the support needed to continue their vital work. As a small team in South Africa, our direct contribution is limited, but by raising awareness and bringing people together, we can create collaborations that turn statistics into survival stories. It’s about helping women understand the importance of early diagnosis and encouraging them to take action for their own health.
The event was a success. We built new connections, raised awareness, and reminded women not to put their health second. Just as important, we were able to put Guerbet on a larger platform, showing the country who we are and how we can support better care. We aim to continue contributing to both the private and public sectors, enhancing access and ensuring that people have access to high-quality products that support better outcomes. Those were the main takeaways for me.
EF: As Guerbet globally celebrates its 100th anniversary next year and Guerbet South Africa celebrates 10 years this year, have you prepared speeches for these respective celebrations?
ML: I haven’t prepared one yet, but what often comes up is the significance of Guerbet turning 100 years old as a family-owned company. The first product was developed in 1901, and the first commercial office opened in 1926. Since then, Guerbet has been supporting healthcare professionals in diagnostic and interventional imaging, helping them better diagnose patients and bringing innovative solutions to care. That history is quite meaningful.
Since 1926, innovation has been at the heart of everything we do. It’s not just part of our history, it’s part of our DNA. From refining our portfolio to developing new products, our mission has always been clear: to equip healthcare professionals with the best possible solutions for their patients.
Over the decades, Guerbet has partnered with startups, centers of excellence, and hospital groups to address unmet needs and close gaps where innovation is most needed. This spirit of collaboration and progress is what has carried us through a century of transforming medical imaging and diagnostics.
Here in South Africa, we’re proud to mark 10 years of local presence. And in many ways, we’re walking in the footsteps of our headquarters; driven by purpose, guided by innovation, and committed to impact. Our focus is on early diagnosis and cancer detection, helping preserve dignity and improve quality of life for patients across the country.
We’ve built strong programs, forged meaningful partnerships, and prioritized education and development. Our goal is to build relationships, identify gaps, and close them, so that practices run more efficiently and patients receive timely, effective care.
We also take pride in connecting people, not just to Guerbet, but to the NGOs and partners we work with, ensuring they have the support they need to continue their vital work.
So, as we celebrate 100 years of Guerbet, let’s also look forward, with optimism, with purpose, and with the same pioneering spirit that brought us here. Together, we’ll continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead the way in transforming healthcare across South Africa and beyond.
EF: If you were to challenge the sector or Africa, how would you challenge them, or how would you like to deliver your final message?
ML: Education and data are the two biggest gaps we face, and they’re deeply interconnected.
Too many people simply don’t know their risks. And if you don’t know your risks, you don’t know what steps to take next. This isn’t just true for infertility or cancer; it applies across the spectrum of non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Education doesn’t reach far enough, especially in underserved communities, and that’s why I strongly advocate for ongoing education, particularly at the patient level. Empowered patients make informed decisions, and that leads to better outcomes.
The second gap is data. We lack the systems to collect, analyze, and act on data effectively. Without a full picture, it’s difficult to allocate resources wisely or understand how diseases are evolving. The data we do have in South Africa is not enough. We need to dig deeper by specialty, clinic, and region to build a foundation that supports smarter healthcare.
And here’s the critical link: without accurate data, we can’t build AI that works. Algorithms need reliable inputs to deliver meaningful insights. So, if we want to harness the power of digital health and AI, we must first invest in robust data infrastructure.
That’s why education and data must be prioritized. They’re not just operational needs; they’re strategic imperatives for improving healthcare, driving innovation, and building a healthier future for all.
EF: What are you most excited about coming up in 2026?
ML: I’m incredibly excited about the educational initiatives we’re rolling out here at Guerbet South Africa. These programs are designed not only to enhance brand awareness and showcase our capabilities, but also to build strategic partnerships that drive business growth through collaboration and mutual support.
We’ve already laid the groundwork with some excellent initiatives and strong partnerships, and I’m eager to see their success shape the future of Guerbet South Africa. A key part of that vision is growing our team. By bringing in more passionate, skilled individuals, we’ll be able to extend our reach and amplify our impact.
And then there’s AI; a space that’s evolving rapidly and sparking conversations everywhere. It’s exciting to think about how we can harness AI to improve diagnostics, streamline operations, and support healthcare professionals in new and meaningful ways.
This is a moment of momentum, and I truly believe we’re just getting started
At the recent women’s conference, we hosted a powerful panel discussion featuring a radiologist who shared the real, day-to-day challenges faced in the field. One of the most exciting outcomes was the announcement of a planned study aimed at making a key diagnostic procedure available to women at approximately one-third of the current cost, with plans for reimbursement. We at Guerbet South Africa have committed to supporting this initiative, marking our first collaborative study with healthcare professionals and partners.
This is more than just a study; it’s a step toward greater access to diagnostics for women, and I’m genuinely excited about its potential. For me, this is what conferences should be about: not just talking, but listening, and walking away with actionable plans. This study is one of those plans, and we’re committed to seeing it through.
There’s also a lot of conversation around AI in radiology, and I want to emphasize: AI is not here to replace radiologists, it’s here to support them. It enhances accuracy, speeds up detection, and can even identify tumors invisible to the naked eye. It’s a tool that improves patient outcomes and helps radiologists deliver better care. So, let’s not fear it; let’s embrace it as a partner in progress.
