eCAP - Ehealth CAPsule for digestive disease diagnostics and therapy

Project Information

eCAP

Grant agreement ID: 101057525

DOI

10.3030/101057525

EC signature date 20 May 2022

Start date 1 May 2022

End date 30 April 2027

Funded under

• Health

Total cost

€ 5 611 654,54

EU contribution

€ 4 757 957,90

Coordinated by

FONDATION DE COOPERATION SCIENTIFIQUE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - eCAP (eCAP - Ehealth CAPsule for digestive disease diagnostics and therapy)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Gastrointestinal diseases, particularly gastroesophageal reflux, remain a significant global health concern, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually in Europe and ranking among the most common reasons for medical consultations and hospital admissions. Despite their prevalence, these conditions are often underdiagnosed due to vague symptoms and the limitations of current diagnostic tools, which tend to be invasive, outdated, and difficult to access. The eCAP project was initiated to address these challenges by developing a smart, ingestible capsule that monitors digestive activity from within the body and pairs this data with patient-reported outcomes via a user-friendly smartphone application. This integrated approach aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce invasiveness, and expand access to care, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
To ensure the solution is both effective and equitable, the project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of engineers, clinicians, and social scientists who have collaborated closely with patients and healthcare professionals in France, Ukraine, and Kenya. Their combined expertise has led to the development of a capsule capable of detecting key physiological signals and transmitting them securely to a digital platform for clinical interpretation. With successful preclinical validation completed and clinical trials in preparation, eCAP is well-positioned to deliver meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery and set a new benchmark for patient-centred innovation in global diagnostics.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

eCAP project continues to make solid progress in shaping a next-generation diagnostic system for gastrointestinal conditions. Initial development and testing have led to a stable and well-functioning capsule prototype, with targeted improvements that enhance the precision of data collection and streamline overall system performance. Alongside the hardware, a digital cloud platform has been developed to enable smooth communication and data handling. Preclinical trials have confirmed successful data transmission from the capsule to the cloud plateform through a smartphone, using Bluetooth communication. These developments mark a clear path toward clinical readiness and broader implementation.
At the same time, important steps have been taken to prepare eCAP system for its use in real-world healthcare settings. The data analysis approach has been compared with existing clinical standards and showed encouraging consistency. The work is progressing on clinical protocols, ethical approvals, and regulatory alignment, ensuring the system meets necessary compliance requirements. Training efforts and strategic planning have helped shape the roadmap for future deployment.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has achieved meaningful progress by combining innovative sensing technology with patient-reported data to create a more reliable and individualized approach to diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions. This integration offers the potential to improve both the accuracy and reach of diagnostics, particularly in areas where access to medical infrastructure is limited. eCAP includes intuitive digital interface, adding versatility to the system and making it easier to implement across a wide range of healthcare settings. Looking ahead, further regulatory testing, clinical validation, and thoughtful planning around market access and affordability will be key to ensuring the solution can be widely adopted and deliver lasting impact.