Alexandre Boulanger, known for his work on self-balancing exoskeletons at Wandercraft, is now leading a project to develop a lighter wearable technology for monitoring chronic kidney disease (CKD). The medtech startup, Metyos, co-founded by Boulanger as CEO and Olga Chashchina as CTO, aims to create an arm-worn patch that can track biomarkers related to CKD.
Biowearables have gained popularity due to advancements in continuous glucose monitoring technology and the increasing need for cost-effective chronic disease management solutions. Metyos’ objective is to provide real-time sensing technology, similar to CGMs, that can detect chemical changes under the skin and monitor chronic kidney conditions.
The wearable device will enable doctors to remotely monitor patients for early signs of renal failure and hyperkalemia. Additionally, it will empower patients to take a more active role in their healthcare by providing personalized recommendations and insights through a dedicated app.
Metyos plans to monitor ions and minerals in the blood, transmit data to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth, and securely store the information on their cloud server for healthcare professionals to access and track disease progression.
The startup has secured funding and is preparing for clinical trials to further refine the technology and obtain regulatory approval by 2025. Targeting markets in Europe and the US, Metyos aims to capitalize on the growing trend of remote patient monitoring reimbursements in healthcare.
The idea for Metyos originated from Boulanger’s interest in nutrition and biochemistry tracking, combined with Chashchina’s personal experience with chronic health issues. Their vision is to develop a biowearable that enhances health outcomes for CKD patients and streamlines healthcare costs through remote monitoring.
“CKD affects millions worldwide, presenting a significant challenge in terms of healthcare costs and patient outcomes. By enabling remote monitoring, we hope to empower clinicians and patients to proactively manage the disease and prevent adverse events,” Boulanger explains.
With a focus on CKD, Metyos differentiates itself from competitors in the biowearable space. While competition is increasing, with startups like Biolinq, Alio, Protonintel, Kalium Health, and Renalyse entering the market, Metyos stands out for its targeted approach to CKD monitoring.
