Digital Biomarkers are key to Patient-Centric Care

Enabling the digital healthcare future

Measuring health for preventive and remote healthcare calls for a new set of innovative, minimally invasive or non-invasive techniques and systems. An example is digital biomarkers, which are objective, quantifiable physical and biological changes in the body that are continuously measured with wearable devices. When those devices are paired with smart algorithms and analytics, the insights they create form the foundation for remote healthcare that focuses on prevention and comprehensive disease management.

TNO works with a variety of partners – including MedTech, HealthTech, Nutrition and pharmaceutical companies, and essential patient advocacy groups – to develop these innovative health measurements that support the transition to the healthcare system of the future. Currently, we focus primarily on digital biomarkers that provide better insight into cardiometabolic health, inflammatory conditions, and sleep. In addition, we develop and apply a digital infrastructure that supports these developments, as well as their application in remote health trials.

A one-stop shop for innovative health solutions

While many of our solutions are technical, we cannot develop them without first diving deeply into the issues that patients and healthcare professionals find most relevant and necessary. This is the best way to ensure our developments will benefit society.

Based on a clear user need, we utilise state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, data models and novel sensor technology in the development of a variety of applications for innovative health measurements, including digital phenotyping, personalised self-management, remote patient monitoring, and digital outcome measurements.

Our team establishes the validity and useability of digital biomarkers and other innovative remote health measurements to support regulatory compliance. This includes technical, analytical, and clinical validation studies, and useability research for the real-world performance of these measurements. In addition, we support the standardisation of health measurements to ensure interoperability, harmonisation, and implementation at scale.

Lastly, we aim to support all stakeholders in ensuring the value, privacy, security, and applicability of these innovative health measurements to accelerate their adoption.

Driving the transition

Experts at TNO at Holst Centre developed the TNO Health Patch, which enables multiple applications within preventive and remote healthcare. Together with key opinion leaders, a series of digital biomarkers are being developed that focus on the non-invasive detection of inflammation that can address challenges in cardiometabolic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We leverage this knowledge and insight in our contribution to collaborative projects, including BioCurity, in which we are developing digital biomarkers as an early indicator of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Join the discussion

Although TNO is eager to work on end-to-end solutions for digital health management, we are able to contribute to any phase of the development and adoption process. From early research to device development to evidence-based proof of concept. And although we have extensive expertise in lifestyle-related and chronic disease, we are open to any discussion about how we can use the latest technology to improve patient health, practitioner interaction, and preventative care. Whether in public/private partnerships, multi-disciplinary consortia, or B2B contract research partnerships.