During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare procedures and policy rapidly changed to safeguard patient safety and care. This included an accelerated shift towards digital health, enabling more personalized care, the collection of data in a structured way, and a focus on those patients who need it the most. One of the players in this emerging digital health space is moveUP. moveUP develops data-driven personalized remote digital care for patients undergoing surgery and other interventions. It does so by leveraging advanced software, deep analytics and specialty care to provide lifestyle and clinical interventions. The company’s initial focus is on patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement procedure (which 1 in 3 people will require at some point in their lives). Despite major advances in surgical technique and implants, a substantial number of these patients end up dissatisfied, with chronic pain as the most prevalent indication. The associated disengagement often leads to a more difficult rehabilitation process and unexpected costs.

moveUP offers an AI-based solution that collects data from the patient and continuously adapts the treatment, thereby personalizing the patient’s recovery process. Via the app, patients can also interact with their doctor outside of the hospital walls, as well as with a physiotherapist. Overall, moveUP’s digital therapy contributes to less complications, reduced readmission rate and hospital stay, as well as higher patient satisfaction.

The idea behind moveUP was sparked by a conversation on the challenges in healthcare between Philippe Van Overschelde, an orthopedic surgeon at AZ Maria Middelares, and his co-founders Ward Servaes, Charles-Eric Winandy and Pierre-Yves Druenne. As Ward, moveUP’s CEO, explains “When Philippe elaborated on the standard-of-care issues he and his patients were facing, Charles-Eric and I quickly realized that digital technology and data held the potential to address these, and furthermore improve the process for all stakeholders.” After founding the company, they joined forces with Bob Moens, who further strengthened the team with his vast MedTech experience and expertise.

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As the first-ever digital health app to be reimbursed in Belgium, we are setting the standard for healthcare’s transition to value-based (digital) care.

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moveUP’s solution was the first mobile health app in Belgium to be reimbursed by RIZIV/INAMI. In first instance, this reimbursement is limited to patients participating in the multi-center clinical trial organized by Ghent University Hospital to compare the classic rehabilitation therapy with moveUP’s therapy or a mix of both. Upon a positive evaluation of therapy effectiveness and health economics, reimbursement will be extended to other patients. Ward adds “As the first-ever digital health app to be reimbursed in Belgium, we, together with our stakeholders, are setting the standard for healthcare’s transition to value-based (digital) care. With this, a patient’s choice for qualitative care should not depend on his out-of-pocket expenses.” In parallel, moveUP is collaborating with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to further optimize their digital therapy platform.

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It has been great to build out our concept in close collaboration with healthcare providers, life sciences partners, and of course patients, and we will continue to do so in the exciting years ahead.

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In their quest to help even more patients, the company is expanding to other indications besides orthopedics, with the solution already implemented to support patients undergoing bariatric surgery. To fuel the company’s growth, moveUP secured an additional financing round in which Qbic II participated. Ward explains “This investment will allow us to scale up. On the one hand, we will apply our expertise in other countries. For this, we already started dedicated activities in selected growth countries. On the other hand, we will further invest in our product. This means further applying our value-based healthcare principles in existing therapies while also targeting other therapeutic areas. It has been great to build out our concept in close collaboration with healthcare providers, life sciences partners, and of course patients, and we will continue to do so in the exciting years ahead.”