Yesterday, IBM and Pfizer announced in a press release they will be partnering in a ground-breaking research project to develop an IoT solution for Parkinson patients.

The IoT remote monitoring solution will consist of a system of sensors, mobile devices, real-time analytics and machine learning which will make available objective, real-time, around-the-clock disease status.

The new information will then be passed on to researchers and clinicians in the hopes of informing treatment decisions and speed up the development of new and better therapies.

If successful, the programme will transform care for Parkinson patients. According to Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., President of Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, “We have an opportunity to potentially redefine how we think about patient outcomes and 24/7 monitoring, by combining Pfizer’s scientific, medical and regulatory expertise with IBM’s ability to integrate and interpret complex data in innovative ways”.

The system is expected to be inaugurated soon with the rolling out of initial clinical testing. Pfizer and IBM will convene an external advisory board of patient groups, advocacy organizations, clinicians, and neuroscientists for guidance on the use of technology, medical devices, data management, and research protocols, and to ensure the needs of patients guide the program.

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