The NightWatch, a wearable sensor that alerts caregivers to severe epileptic seizures during the night, has reached an important milestone. The technology, developed at UMC Utrecht in collaboration with the Dutch epilepsy research consortium Kempenhaeghe, SEIN, and EpilepsieNL, has been acquired by Swedish technology company Abilia AB. This acquisition creates new opportunities to scale the innovation internationally and make it accessible to more patients.
Worn as an armband, the NightWatch uses heart rate and motion sensors to detect signals that may indicate an epileptic seizure. When a possible seizure is identified, the device sends a wireless alert to the caregiver, allowing for faster intervention and improving safety and peace of mind for patients and their families. Clinical studies have shown that the NightWatch detects the majority of severe nocturnal seizures, which helps families affected by epilepsy enjoy more restful nights without restricting the patient’s freedom of movement. Since its launch in 2018, the NightWatch has been increasingly adopted both at home and in healthcare institutions.
At UMC Utrecht, the NightWatch was developed and clinically validated through close collaboration between researchers, engineers, and healthcare professionals. The academic medical center played a pivotal role in translating scientific and technical insights into a reliable, user‑friendly device that delivers real value in everyday care for people with epilepsy and their loved ones.
The knowledge and experience thus gained formed the basis for the spin‑off company LivAssured B.V., which led further product development, CE and FDA certification, and market introduction. The development of the NightWatch exemplifies how UMC Utrecht’s approach to valorization works in practice: transforming a clinical need and technological innovation into a validated product that finds its way into daily care. The project underscores the power of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, developers, and innovation experts — and how such partnerships can lead to tangible improvements in healthcare.
On October 1, 2025, LivAssured B.V. was acquired by Abilia AB, part of the publicly listed MedCap Group. Abilia develops assistive technologies that support people with cognitive or physical disabilities in leading more independent lives. Through this acquisition, the NightWatch gains access to Abilia’s international distribution network and expertise in assistive technology – creating new opportunities to expand its reach and further enhance its impact for people with epilepsy.
