First ecosystem kick-off event of the DIGILUNG project was a success

The DIGILUNG project continues to improve the quality of life for those suffering from COPD. The first ecosystem kick-off meeting took place in May 2024, with the initial pilots set to start soon and the first results are on the horizon.

The partners of DIGILUNG project were present at the 12th The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) Conference to increase interest in the project among potential target groups and raise awareness among ecosystem stakeholders. We wanted to show the participants how it is possible to revolutionise COPD care through integrated cutting-edge AI and digital health solutions.

Initial interest in the project has been promising

The IPCRG conference brought together experts from around the world interested in respiratory care. We had the pleasure of speaking to many of them to present the promising solution combining a lungshirt with AI platform offers. We hosted a device workshop where Maarten Gijssel from ATRIDE talked more in details about the Lungshirt and presented the first prototype. 

What does the project mean to the partners?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of people and causing a significant economic burden. The partners in this project are excited to contribute to addressing these challenges.

Maria Kontogiorgou, the founder and CEO of a Greek wearable startup ATRIDE, says that to their company, Digilung embodies their vision to blend cutting-edge technology with human-centric design and social impact. By pioneering innovative solutions like smart clothing for respiratory care, they’re not just advancing healthcare but also championing accessibility and personalisation in their products.

For Julien Lebleu (PhD), a clinical researcher from company MoveUp, being part of the Digilung project feels like a natural extension of his journey. Through a pilot, their digital platform will bridge the gap between patients and care providers. He says “Patients need to take control of their health, while care providers are lacking longitudinal data insights. The Digilung project will help us navigate complex terrain, as innovation in healthcare is a lengthy process.”

Cognuse has been engaged in digital health interventions for patient suffering from chronic disease since 2016 with light weight data capture and interoperability middleware development. According to their CEO, Andres Mellik, their CDM module will enable seamless and secure data exchange between the MoveUP and Atride platforms and further contribute to a multidisciplinary approach in delivering effective monitoring for COPD patients. “As our solutions have been built to be deployed at scale it will collectively enable new business models and verticals for all project participants,” says Mellik.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) plays a key role in supporting these innovative activities by developing AI algorithms and analysing legal and ethical considerations. Clinical testing and validation are carried out in partnership with the Research Foundation of the General University Hospital of Valencia (Fundación Investigación Hospital General Universitario de Valencia).

Digilung’s vision for COPD Care

Although each project partner and each solution is invaluable to succeed, the project’s vision goes beyond individual innovations, focusing on building a groundbreaking digital health ecosystem specifically for the COPD market. This vision centers on fostering successful interregional collaboration by uniting various stakeholders, adopting advanced technologies, and implementing strategic approaches. This cooperative structure aims to enhance COPD patient care, raise service quality, and create new business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

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The project is funded by the European Union. The expressed views and opinions belong solely to the author(s) and may not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding institution can be held responsible for the expressed views.