ECG patch and diagnostic service center for efficient and accurate ECG home monitoring

Project Information

HeartService

Grant agreement ID: 863357

DOI

10.3030/863357

Project closed

EC signature date 15 April 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 31 October 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

GLANUM MEDICAL BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HeartService (ECG patch and diagnostic service center for efficient and accurate ECG home monitoring)

Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2019-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The need for ECG-Holter monitoring is increasing due to a growing chronic ill population with 6.1 million new cardiac patients in the EU annually. ECG-Holter monitoring requires a medical specialist to analyse the up to 7 days registered ECG data collected with an ambulatory Holter system. However, the chance to detect cardiac events with a Holter system is less than 20%. In addition, the delay between doctor visit and diagnosis is long (6-8 weeks), due to waiting lists for medical specialist appointments, a lack of Holter devices and resources for analysis. There is a need for a cost-effective and accurate solution for ECG monitoring to enable efficient and timely screening of patients with suspected heart problems.
Glanum Medical develops a small ECG-Holter integrated in a patch as a substitute for the current available Holter system. This novel ECG-Holter patch is accurate, affordable and patient friendly as compared to conventional Holter systems. In addition, the company launches a diagnostic service centre (HeartService) to support diagnosis. Glanum Medical offers the infrastructure for distribution and collection of the ECG patch and analysis of ECG data by connected cardiologists within 48 hours instead of the current standard procedures of 4-5 weeks. This service empowers medical doctors to offer fast, cost-effective and high-quality ECG-based diagnosis.
The main objectives of this study were to characterize 5 different healthcare systems in Europe (Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Italy and France) to assess if Glanum Medicals ECG-Holter patch and HeartService had potential to commercialize in one of these countries.

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

To assess if Glanum Medical can commercially roll-out with HeartService in Europe, Glanum Medical performed an in-depth market research to understand the ECG and Holter monitoring market in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Italy and France. Moreover, stakeholder needs (GP’s, cardiologists and patients), optimal business models and reimbursement strategies were identified in these countries.
The feasibility study showed that the initial concept and approach of Glanum Medical, the full-service model, is also applicable in other countries than the Netherlands. In all markets from the concept of the ECG-Holter solutions the ease of use and the patient comfort have been highly appreciated. In Sweden this model can also be profitable. Next to the full-service model, Glanum Medical can also focus for roll-out in other countries such as Germany using a service concept for hospitals. Introduction of a ECG-Holter service model in Belgium, France and Italy is more complicated. The reimbursement for ECG-Holter examinations is relatively low in these markets and in Belgium there is no reimbursement for GP’s. The feasibility study will be used as a primary source in updating the business plan with roll-out activities in Sweden (or other Northern countries) and at a later stage Germany.

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 World Health Organization states that Cardiovascular disease (CVD) death rates will decrease when CVD is detected early. Due to the high incidence of CVD, the increasing focus on prevention and the ageing population, the ECG market is expected to rise coming years leading to a high adoption of ECG monitoring devices across the healthcare ecosystem.
Glanum Medical positively assessed the feasibility of HeartService, a small ECG monitor integrated with a patch and a subsequent diagnostic service centre, and thereby facilitating fast cardiac monitoring and diagnosing services in Europe. This will have a positive impact on early detecting CVD patients and preventing CVD deaths among Europe and beyond.

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