Ohio-based Great Lakes NeuroTech is teaming up with UCB on combining data from wearables and drug-delivering devices with visual tools to improve the experience of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Because patients may experience Parkinson’s symptoms of varying severity and times of day, they may find it difficult to manage their condition, Great Lakes NeuroTech said in a statement. Side effects from medication, such as involuntary movement, can contribute to the challenge. Having detailed feedback on patient responses to treatments can help clinicians adapt care regimens to each individual.
Enter Great Lakes and UCB, which will investigate ways to integrate data from wearable sensors and apps as well as drug dosage information into data visualization tools for doctors and patients. Their aim is to develop a tool that will help clinicians tailor medication dosages and collect patient feedback on how they are faring with the treatment, according to the statement.
Their first step will be a pilot study using Great Lakes’ Kinesia wearable system for the objective measurement of Parkinson’s symptoms. The sensor-and-app combo comes in two versions: the Kinesia One provides task-based assessment of motor symptoms, while the Kinesia 360 offers continuous monitoring of tremor, dyskinesia and mobility. The study will also use UCB’s Neupro therapy, a transdermal patch that delivers rotigotine continuously over 24 hours.
“Our research team has spent years developing and validating algorithms for assessing motor symptoms, and are excited to now partner with UCB on a targeted therapy application which we hope will improve patient care and clinical workflow in Parkinson’s disease,” said Great Lakes NeuroTech President Joe Giuffrida in the statement.