Around 17,000 people are affected by myasthenia gravis in Germany. Many struggle to access appropriate care, face significant travel distances and endure long waiting times, which is particularly exhausting when muscle strength is already compromised.
To address these challenges, a team led by Charité physicians Dr Sophie Lehnerer, Dr Maike Stein and Dr Lea Gerischer has developed the MyaLink platform, enabling clinicians to monitor and assess disease progression remotely. With the app installed on their smartphones, patients can easily document their symptoms. They can also collect data on their vital signs using, for example, an activity tracker or a digital spirometer that measures lung function. Physicians review this data on a web portal and can update the medication plan accordingly. The app also comprises a chat function and reminder function. This allows deterioration to be detected more quickly and medication side effects to be reduced, and helps avoid long hospital stays.
The platform is certified as a medical device and complies with data protection regulations.
A feasibility study published in December 2024 has already shown that MyaLink can improve care for patients with myasthenia gravis. The RareLink team now aims to extend the platform for use with other rare and chronic diseases.
RareLink digital health GmbH is a spin-off of the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the telemedicine provider Qurasoft. Ascenion, the technology transfer partner of Charité and BIH, and Charité BIH Innovation have guided RareLink through the spin-off process.
Further information: BIH press release
