The EMCARE project receives boost from EIT Health to combat silent MS progression with innovative smartphone technology
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects millions globally, causing chronic neurological disability that often progresses silently and irreversibly. One particularly elusive threat, known as PIRA (Progression Independent of Relapse Activity), frequently goes undetected until it is too late for effective intervention.
EMCare is changing that. The innovative digital health solution offers a first-of-its-kind smartphone app that passively monitors tapping speed on patients' personal devices, helping to detect early signs of MS progression without the need for active engagement or frequent clinic visits. This seamless, background monitoring provides neurologists and patients with critical insights to stay ahead of the disease-transforming how MS progression is tracked and managed.
Bringing EMCare from its initial phase to pilot stage and then to widespread clinical adoption is challenging as the team faces a complex path requiring rigorous validation, regulatory approval, and CE marking.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health launched a Deep Tech Venture Builder Programme where EMCARE project was granted to receive assistance in product development, regulatory strategy, and funding access. This partnership aims to accelerate the journey towards making EMCare a certified medical device, paving the way for its life-changing potential.
The development of the project will be supported by GENESIS Biomed as Venture builder. They are specialized in early-stage projects in the biomedical sector like EMCare and they are fully committed to mentor the initiative through its growth. GENESIS Biomed will also play a very important rol securing additional co-investors that may help EMCare to scale.
The expected impact of this project is profound: enabling earlier interventions, guiding better treatment decisions, improving quality of life for patients, and ultimately reducing the long-term burden on healthcare systems.
The team is lead by MD. JUAN LUIS CHICO, Principal Investigator of Multiple sclerosis group (Area 1 - Neurosciences, Sense Organs and Mental Health) at IRYCIS. Juan Luis is a neurologist who has focused in neuroimmunological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. He has shown particular interest in the development of these digital biomarkers for MS follow-up. He has coordinated two proof-of-concept studies using EMCare and has been awarded by EMIS initiative and the Multiple Sclerosis Spanish Network. He also has arranged partnerships with other companies and gathered a multidisciplinary team who aim to constitute a future spin-off to continue the development of EMCare.
*EIT Health is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union
"We are thrilled to be selected by the DTVB programme. Its support brings us closer to our mission of empowering patients and neurologists with modern tools to fight MS progression."
