Univa Health Launches NHS-Supported Clinical Study to Transform Eating Disorder Care with Smart Device Biomarker Technology

Press Release

Innovative study aims to redefine eating disorder monitoring through non-invasive, data-driven digital biomarkers

Published on 9 December 2024

London, UK 8th December 2024 – Univa Health, a pioneering health technology company has officially commenced recruitment last month for a landmark clinical study, The Use of Smart Devices in Capturing Biomarkers in Eating Disorders. This multi-site study conducted in collaboration with nine of the UK’s National Health Service hospital trusts, is set to revolutionise how eating disorders are monitored and managed, leveraging the power of smart devices to provide non-invasive, real-time data collection.

This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to create digital biomarkers—quantifiable measurements captured through smart devices—to provide clinicians with continuous high-fidelity insights into a patient's physical and mental health. By collecting these biomarkers remotely, the study seeks to empower healthcare providers to offer more personalised, proactive care while reducing the strain on both patients and clinical resources.

"At Univa, we believe in harnessing technology to bridge the gap between possibility and practicality in healthcare," said Rich Andrews, CEO and Co-Founder of Univa Health. "By leveraging smart devices to create real-time, data-driven insights, we’re breaking down barriers to personalised care. Our goal is to give patients greater agency in their recovery journey while equipping clinicians with the tools they need to make timely, informed decisions."

A New Era of Eating Disorder Monitoring
Traditional methods for monitoring eating disorders are often invasive, resource-intensive, and distressing for patients. Univa Health's innovative approach harnesses smartphone technology and wearable devices to collect and analyze a broad range of physiological and psychological biomarkers. These include physiological biomarkers such as weight changes, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, and hydration status, and psychological biomarkers such as mood, anxiety, and emotional distress.

The study will also explore emerging biomarker technologies, including voice pattern analysis and facial morphology tracking, to detect subtle changes that could signal shifts in a patient’s health trajectory. This groundbreaking approach could enable earlier intervention strategies and significantly improve patient outcomes.

"This study is about much more than a new monitoring tool," said Professor Dan Joyce, Chief Investigator for the study, a psychiatrist and data scientist at the University of Liverpool. "It’s about building a foundational platform that will change how we understand, monitor, and treat eating disorders. Our goal is to reduce the burden on patients and provide clinicians with more timely, accurate and data-driven insights to improve care."

Collaborative Approach for a National Impact
Univa’s clinical study has been designed with diversity, inclusion, and scalability in mind. Univa Health aims to collect data from a broad population spanning children, adolescents, and adults with varying severities of eating disorders. To achieve this, the study is being conducted across nine NHS mental health trusts in England, including locations in London, the Midlands, and the North of England.

Participants will be enrolled for up to 16 weeks, enabling the study to build a comprehensive, longitudinal dataset that captures the progression and treatment response of patients over time. The study's design ensures that the findings will be applicable across diverse demographics, clinical settings, and stages of recovery.

"By collecting rich, near real-time data from such a diverse group of patients, we’re not just developing a technology—we’re building a clinical evidence base that could transform the standard of care for eating disorders," added Professor Joyce.

About Univa Health
Founded in 2024, Univa Health is a UK-based health technology company transforming eating disorder care through a clinically validated, evidence-based platform. By integrating real-time monitoring of physiological and psychological biomarkers with interactive therapeutic modules, Univa empowers healthcare providers to deliver proactive, personalised, and adaptive care. This approach aims to enable earlier intervention, more effective treatment strategies, and sustained recovery, improving long-term outcomes for patients and supporting families with accessible, compassionate care.