Genetic or Inherited Neuromuscular Disorders (INMD) – encompassing a range of rare diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) and inherited transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) – present a cruel paradox. On the one hand, patients suffer progressive degeneration affecting muscles and peripheral nerves that requires expensive and specialized care. On the other hand, the slow progression of their disease means that they experience long periods of relative stability, where unnecessary clinical check-ups represent a significant amount of the burden they face.

This tension – between catching new developments swiftly to avoid complications and reducing unnecessary check-ups and specialist visits – is a delicate balancing act for the over 15 million patients worldwide affected with INMDs. Especially with promising new therapies on the ohrizon, this overlook patient community risks missing out on future opportunities.

Current solutions on the market only answer a marginal proportion of the needs of patients with genetic, slowly progressive, and incurable INMDs. gaitMATE aims to cater to these specific needs by fostering a connection between patients and physicians through a patient-centered platform solution. This digital platform facilitates remote access to specialist centers, guiding patients through the fragmented healthcare system and offering tailored support. Additionally, gaitMATE serves as a digital hub, enabling patients to engage in remote research opportunities and contribute to future treatment development. Through personalized gait analysis, gaitMATE endeavors to advance digital monitoring technology for various gait diseases. Furthermore, the platform provides support for post-market surveillance of existing treatments and assists in the implementation of new, efficient outcome measures, ultimately facilitating quicker and cost-effective trials.

Team gaitMATE consists of a junior neurologist who established the CMT clinic at Charité and is an active supporter of patient advocacy groups being a CMT patient herself; a Charité senior neurologist, head of neuromuscular group, and founder of the Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB); and an electrical engineering student experienced in building healthcare data integration systems. The team is supported by a collaboration partner from Columbia University who is an expert in Neuroscience and digital biology.

gaitMATE endeavors to bridge the gap and empower individuals affected by INMDs, as well as physicians, in the treatment and development of new therapies through its platform solution.