Joachim Eeckhout

📢 VOICES OF STARTUP BERLIN 📢 – a conversation with Thorsten Lubinski (Co-Founder) and Catalina Plesmann (Head of Marketing) at DiaMonTech AG – who won the DeepTech Award in 2024! > In simple terms: How does your technology make blood sugar monitoring easier for patients? We developed a small device that lets you measure your blood sugar non-invasively by simply placing your finger on our sensor - no needles, no blood, no pain. People living with diabetes can check their levels more often, more comfortably, and without disposable supplies.    > What’s the biggest challenge in developing non-invasive medical tech – and how did you overcome it? The hardest part is precision. Glucose is present in very small amounts and hard to isolate without breaking the skin. We solved this by usiung a quantum cascade laser that targets glucose molecules specifically. After years of development and a successful clinical study, we were able to prove that our non-invasive approach is medically accurate. > How do you see your solution changing lives — especially for people living with diabetes long-term? Frequent glucose monitoring is key to managing diabetes, but many people avoid it because it’s painful or inconvenient. Our technology removes that barrier. Over time, this could mean better glucose control, fewer long-term complications, and a higher quality of life. Not just for people living with diabetes, but also for those at risk or those who take longevity seriously.    > What impact did winning the Deep Tech Award have on your visibility or credibility in the healthcare space? It put a spotlight on our work. The Deep Tech Award gave us recognition beyond the scientific community and helped position us as a serious innovator in both the MedTech and digital health space. It helped us connect with new partners and contributed to growing trust in our approach. > What role does #Berlin play in your journey as a MedTech innovator? Berlin is where science meets entrepreneurship. The city gave us access to leading research institutions, public funding programs, and a vibrant healthtech ecosystem. It’s also home to an open-minded community and strong infrastructure, the ideal base to grow a medical startup with global ambitions.    📣 Big news: DiaMonTech have just started a new Crowdinvesting-Kampagne campaign. Find more info in the comments 👇   Curious about the 2025 winners of the deep tech award? Keep an eye on Deep Tech Berlin for updates! 🚀

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Germany’s Digital Therapeutics DiGA Fast-Track Under Scrutiny: 📑A new npj Digital Medicine systematic review analyzed 23 approval studies behind Germany’s reimbursable digital health apps (DiGAs). While all reported medium‑to‑large positive effects (mostly in mental health), every study carried a high risk of bias, largely due to reliance on self‑reported outcomes, missing data, and inconsistent designs. Key takeaways: 🔘 21 of 23 studies measured their primary outcomes via patient reported measures raising concerns over objectivity (but authors also acknowledged objective reporting is difficult in mental health) 🔘Dropout rates averaged 22% in intervention groups, higher than controls 🔘Only one study assessed process‑level improvements (eg access, patient literacy, safety, adherence, guideline alignment) despite DiGAs aiming to improve both outcomes and care pathways 🔘 Despite the reported flaws, over 1 million DiGA prescriptions have been issued, costing insurers €234M by end 2024 🔘Authors call for stricter standards, mandatory study protocols, and real‑world evidence as Germany’s model influences other countries 💬Germany pioneered reimbursed digital therapeutics, but this study suggests the evidence base is shakier than it looks. Tightening approval standards may be key before others adopt this model at scale 📍Note: The review itself isn’t flawless. It excluded failed or withdrawn DiGAs, faced patchy reporting and missing protocols, and required judgment calls due to vague guidelines. Effect sizes varied, and without author input, some bias risks may have been overstated 👇Link to study in comments #DTx #DigitalHealth 

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