Tech startups are making waves in Parkinson’s disease care, scooping up millions in investments and forging key partnerships with renowned hospitals. Here’s what’s happening:
– Kneu Health, spun out of Oxford University, just raked in $5.6 million. Their smartphone app tracks movement, speech, and cognition, providing a comprehensive view of Parkinson’s symptoms over time. They’re already working with the NHS and big-name hospitals like Cedars-Sinai and Mass General Brigham. So far, they’ve raised a total of $11.2 million.
– Rune Labs, based in San Francisco, quietly raised another $11 million. Using an Apple Watch, their tech tracks Parkinson’s symptoms and they’re growing their partnership with Kaiser Permanente. With $57 million raised so far, they’re making a significant impact.
– Empatica just acquired PKG Health, another Parkinson’s tracking tech company that’s helped 35,000 people. Empatica’s tech is also used by pharma companies, making it a powerful player in the field.
Why the sudden surge in Parkinson’s tech? Well, the motor symptoms of this neurodegenerative disease, like tremors and changes in gait, are perfect for tracking with sensors in wearables and smartphones. Plus, doctors need better tools to monitor symptoms that vary from person to person and day to day. Right now, most evaluations are done in-person and rely on patients’ memories, which isn’t always reliable.
Stay tuned for more on this tech revolution in Parkinson’s care!
