Emaptica to Boost AI Wearable Device for Parkinson's with PKG Health Acquisition

it plans to integrate PKG Health’s algorithmic expertise into its existing hardware and software stack, which is expected to enhance tracking of motor symptoms and disease progression

Boston-based monitoring platform Empatica has announced the acquisition of PKG Health, a firm specializing in movement disorder algorithms and digital endpoints for Parkinson’s disease.

Emapatica, known for developing AI-enabled wearables, digital biomarker platforms, including the Empatica Health Monitoring Platform, which is used for remote patient monitoring in clinical trials.

With this acquisition, it plans to integrate PKG Health’s algorithmic expertise into its existing hardware and software stack, which is expected to enhance tracking of motor symptoms and disease progression.

About Empatica

Empatica’s technology is built around its suite of wearable devices, including the EmbracePlus and Embrace Mini.

The EmbracePlusa wrist wearable for clinical trial use, which measures peripheral skin temperature and pulse rate variability; collects raw acceleration and angular velocity data; and detects changes of electrical conductance at the skin's surface.

Meanwhile, EmbraceMini is reportedly the world’s smallest actigraphy wearable for clinical trials, combining continuous data collection with practicality and power.

These signals are analyzed via Empatica’s Health Monitoring Platform, which supports both clinical trials and remote patient monitoring (RPM) in real-world settings.

In May, Empatica received CE mark approval for EpiMonitor, an epilepsy monitoring offering that combines a wearable and an app. The device aims to detect seizures and provide alerts with continuous health monitoring

Further, Empatica aims to deliver refined Parkinson’s monitoring capabilities directly from wearable data by incorporating PKG’s movement disorder analytics.

Reportedly, the company said the acquisition will broaden its reach and market potential within clinical care, neurology research, and diagnostics.

Commenting on the acquisition, Matteo Lai, Empatica’s CEO and cofounder, said, "PKG Health has built the largest body of clinical evidence in neurologic movement disorders using wearables."

"By combining these algorithms with our patient monitoring platform, especially our new EmbraceMini device, we will provide the most comprehensive solution for monitoring Parkinson’s disease. We look forward to serving new patients, clinicians, and researchers with state-of-the-art medical care, moving far beyond what has been possible to date," he added.

Recently, Empatica secured FDA clearance for its wrist-based pulse oximetry algorithm, which was cleared under a Predetermined Change Control Plan, which is expected to allow future algorithm updates without new 510(k) submissions.

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