Supporting Sustainable Treatment Journeys
Chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can often be managed through medication. However, many individuals face barriers to staying on treatment – ranging from social stigma and lack of support to financial challenges. CarePath, funded by the European Union, aims to close this gap by developing a flexible toolbox that empowers people to manage their treatments in ways that fit their needs, values, and daily routines.
Putting People First
The project takes a person-centered approach, co-developing solutions with patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. The toolbox will include mobile apps that support communication and self-management, tools to track symptoms and patient experiences, and short questionnaires that help detect when additional support may be needed. By combining digital tools with human care, the solutions can be tailored to various healthcare environments.
Testing Across Europe
To ensure broad relevance and impact, the CarePath toolbox will be piloted in six countries: Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. These pilot sites were chosen to reflect a wide range of healthcare systems and population needs. A dedicated proof-of-concept study will also take place in Germany, focusing on people managing type 2 diabetes in outpatient clinics.
Helmholtz Munich’s Role in CarePath
Helmholtz Munich is a central research partner in the five-year project. Principal investigator Prof. Andreas Birkenfeld (Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases), together with Prof. Matthias Blüher (HI-MAG) and Prof. Nikolaos Perakakis (Institute for Pancreatic Islet Research), contribute extensive expertise in metabolic diseases and chronic care. They will test new ways to help people with type 2 diabetes and obesity consistently take essential glucose- and lipid-lowering medications – including the incretin receptor agonists semaglutide and tirzepatide – using a suite of digital tools developed within the consortium. The approach will be evaluated in randomized controlled trials. Helmholtz Munich will receive €980,000 in funding for its participation. The overall project is supported by €11.3 million in EU funding and €8.5 million in in-kind contributions from industry partners.
