WASHINGTON, DC, Mar 27, 2026 – Siemens has joined the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) BREATHE program, an initiative planned for up to five years focused on improving indoor air quality and reducing respiratory disease incidence by at least 25%. The BREATHE program develops integrated systems that provide continuous measurement, risk assessment, and real-time responses such as ventilation and disinfection of indoor air quality to reduce airborne health risks.
The BREATHE program defines three technical areas: indoor air biosensors, respiratory risk assessment software, and building control and system integration. Siemens works on risk assessment and building control by integrating models with control systems to address air quality risks. Building control systems enable automated actions including ventilation, filtration and disinfection through building management systems.
“At Siemens, we believe that digital twin technology is the key to unlocking healthier, safer, and more adaptive indoor environments,” said Virginie Maillard, Global Head of Research in Simulation and Digital Twins for Siemens. “Our commitment to simulation-driven innovation combined with our partner’s cutting-edge biosensor empowers us to model, predict, and optimize simultaneously building performance and occupants’ health, making a measurable impact on public health.”
Siemens contributes to two BREATHE projects led by Mayo Clinic and SafeTraces. The Mayo Clinic project focuses on biosensors, artificial intelligence and air filtration in emergency departments, while the SafeTraces project uses array PCR for real-time risk assessment and mitigation in Defense Health Agency (DHA) hospital systems.
Siemens uses digital twin technology to model airflow, temperature and energy consumption and to test mitigation strategies before deployment. Integrated with building automation and biosensor inputs, digital twin systems support closed-loop indoor air control. Field trials across U.S. cities will evaluate system performance in critical infrastructure environments.
Siemens is working with project partners to integrate its technologies into systems that detect and respond to indoor air risks. Its solutions link risk assessment models with building controls to enable automated responses based on real-time biosensor data. This approach supports continuous monitoring and mitigation of airborne threats in operational environments.
Source: Siemens
About Siemens
Siemens Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, operates across industry, infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare sectors. Founded in 1847, Siemens AG has more than 175 years of history and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its U.S. operations are based in Washington, D.C. In fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, the Siemens Group USA reported revenue of $21.2B. The company maintains 24 manufacturing sites in the United States and employs over 45,000 people, serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Siemens focuses on integrating digital and physical technologies to support customer needs in efficiency, urban development, and sustainable transportation. The company applies industrial AI – including generative AI – to use cases across sectors.
About Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is a U.S. federal research funding agency that supports biomedical and health innovation. Founded in 2022, it operates under the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency funds research projects that address health challenges through science and technology. ARPA-H provides grants, program management and collaboration support for research teams. It serves academic institutions, research organizations, healthcare providers and private sector partners across biotechnology and medical fields. The agency focuses on developing tools, platforms and systems for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. ARPA-H operates from hubs in the Washington, DC, Cambridge, MA, and Dallas, TX. It employs about 120 people globally.