Koneksa, a healthcare technology company specialising in evidence-based digital biomarkers, has announced that Merck, also known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has joined its Data Syndication Partnership program for the LEARNS observational study. This study aims to develop digital biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders using smartphone-based assessments and wearable technologies. As a member of this program, Merck researchers will have real-time access to data and results from the ongoing LEARNS study.
The LEARNS study, which plans to observe disease progression in up to 70 people with Parkinson’s disease over 12 months, utilises the Koneksa Neuroscience Toolkit. This toolkit incorporates iPhone-based active assessments and passive monitoring through a wrist-worn wearable, allowing for more objective and frequent measures of disease change within the context of daily life. By enrolling the first patient in February, Koneksa has initiated the collection of high-precision longitudinal data, both remotely and in clinic settings, which will inform the development of digital biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease progression.
Through data syndication, partners like Merck gain immediate and continuous access to study data and results as the LEARNS study progresses. This collaboration facilitates real-time monitoring of the study through Koneksa’s proprietary platform, enabling syndication partners to contribute to and learn from the study's findings. This innovative approach to data sharing and analysis aims to accelerate the validation and adoption of digital measures for tracking Parkinson’s disease progression, addressing the urgent need for more effective tools in drug development and patient care.
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