Princeton University spinout Neutigers Inc. is launching a study to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and everyday wearables to flag early symptoms of sickle cell anemia vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) before they get worse and land patients in the hospital. The aim is to reduce deaths and facilitate interventions to address the entire continuum of care for patients with the inherited red blood cell disorder, Adel Laoui, founder and CEO, told BioWorld.

Alivecor Inc. has elevated its patent dispute with Apple Inc. to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in a move that could damage the latter’s foray into digital health. Alivecor is alleging that Apple, of Cupertino, Calif., has infringed on Alivecor patents for electrocardiogram monitoring technology, a development that may foreshadow a continuing legal struggle between the two companies for a large and rapidly growing market.

LONDON – Startup company Glucomodicum Oy is preparing to commercialize a new technique for the needle-free monitoring of blood glucose levels, applying the principles of magnetohydrodynamics to noninvasively extract interstitial fluid through the skin.

Current Health Ltd. closed an oversubscribed series B financing, securing $43 million in a round led by Northpond Ventures. The Edinburgh, U.K.-based company will use the funds to scale up its remote care management platform. Other participants included Lrvhealth, OSF Healthcare, Section 32, Elements Health Ventures, as well as existing investors. With this latest infusion, Current Health has raised a total of $66 million to date.

Chicago-based public benefit corporation Neopenda LLC secured the CE mark for its wireless, wearable vital signs monitor and picked up $1.4 million in new funding led by Assiduity Capital and the Sorenson Impact Foundation. The organization developed Neoguard to monitor critically ill infants in resource-poor regions, but adapted it last year to meet the monitoring needs of adult patients with COVID-19. The CE mark approval covers adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.

Movano Inc. closed its IPO on the Nasdaq Friday, reeling in gross proceeds of $48.9 million. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based startup launched the offering of 8.5 million shares of common stock priced at $5 per share on March 22, with a target of raising $42.5 million. The final tally included the fully exercised over-allotment option by underwriters to purchase an additional 1,275,000 shares.

MIT Media Labs spinoff Empatica Inc. secured the CE mark for its Aura system, a wearable solution for the monitoring and early alert of respiratory infections, including COVID-19. For use with people 14 and older, Aura is commercially available in Europe and the U.K., and for pilot purposes in the U.S. – pending FDA authorization. Aura’s algorithm analyzes vital signs from Empatica smartwatches, comparing data against the wearer’s historical baselines. In validation studies, Aura was able to detect patients with possible H1N1 influenza, rhinovirus or SARS-CoV-2 infection with 0.94 sensitivity. Detection occurred on average two days after infection.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have taken wearables to a new level with a soft skin patch that integrates functions currently siloed in continuous glucose monitors, wearables, wellness apps and hospital monitors. The all-in-one patch can be worn on the neck to continuously track blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, lactate, alcohol and caffeine.

The U.S. FDA has given its nod to a new solution that aims to help with the temporary reduction of sleep disturbance related to nightmares in certain people. Specifically, the agency reviewed the device, from Minneapolis-based Nightware Inc., through the de novo premarket review pathway and now is permitting its use in patients aged 22 years of age or older who are suffering from nightmare disorder or have nightmares from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The agency previously granted the solution breakthrough device designation.

Neuroem Therapeutics Inc. has received breakthrough device designation from the U.S. FDA for Memorem, a bioengineered, wearable head device for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The breakthrough nod, which entitles companies to an expedited regulatory process, follows results from a pilot study showing Memorem can reverse memory loss in patients with the debilitating brain disorder.