NHS-approved digital therapeutics company, my mhealth, along with three European collaborators, have been awarded a €2.5 million Eurostars Grant for the development of their project, CUOREMA.

Eurostars is a European joint programme, co-funded from the national budgets of 36 EUREKA countries and by the European Union through Horizon 2020. Innovate UK will also sponsor my mhealth to develop part of its myHeart app to support cardiac rehabilitation in Europe.

The programme provides funding and support and is aimed at R&D-performing SMEs that are interested in international collaboration. The application process is competitive, with 506 applications submitted from across 36 countries. The evaluation process considers quality, impact and excellence for assessment.

WHY IT MATTERS

Together with three European partners; Ospedale Malcantonese (OSCAM) in Switzerland, Games for Health in the Netherlands and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), the project aims to utilise the cardiac rehabilitation element of the myHeart app and incorporate biofeedback, intelligent algorithms and gamification features. 

"Each organisation brings a very unique perspective to the table, allowing for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to tackling heart health."

-Dr Simon Bourne, chief executive officer of my mhealth

 

During the three years of planning and development, the platform will be formally researched in the UK and several European countries through formal clinical trials. 

The CUOREMA project will focus on developing a new, patient-centred cardiac rehabilitation support system. The technology will provide a new systematic method of social and biological feedback from wearable devices and the app will include built-in behaviour change support systems, with mixed reality and immersive technology to improve medical adherence and clinical outcomes.

With COPD as a primary area of focus, my mhealth was recognised by the judging panel for its array of clinical and technological experts in this area, as well as experience in digital therapeutics. The project achieved the highest scores in the Innovation and R&D category.

Once developed, the app will be compatible for use across the European Union and will be available in French, Italian, Portuguese, German and Spanish.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

In recent news within the region, plans for the EU-wide "Digital Green Certificates” have moved a step forward, with member states agreeing on the main technical specifications for the plans.

The European Commission has published its draft on the adequate protection of personal data in the UK, which will be formally implemented if approved by member states.

ON THE RECORD

Dr Simon Bourne, chief executive officer of my mhealth, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with such talented and diverse teams on this innovative and important project over the next few years. Each organisation brings a very unique perspective to the table, allowing for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to tackling heart health. I am extremely passionate about digital health and this has the potential to change many lives for the better, helping us transform cardiac rehabilitation for patients across Europe.”