While the European medical community recently noted VRNOW’s patent acquisition in Germany, the strategic vision behind this expansion has remained behind closed doors. In this exclusive deep-dive, TechUkraine speaks with co-founder Artem Chyhyrynskyi about the clinical data, the move toward FDA approval, and the roadmap for scaling wartime innovation into a global medical standard.
The Lead: From Clinical Validation to European Integration
VRNOW, a Ukrainian MedTech solution designed for the rehabilitation of patients suffering from phantom limb pain, has officially secured a patent in Germany—a critical gateway to the European medical technology market.
Developed and refined during the ongoing war, the technology is already a staple in Ukraine’s recovery infrastructure. It is currently deployed in 13+ medical institutions, including the National Rehabilitation Center UNBROKEN, military hospitals, and the Okhmatdyt National Specialized Children’s Hospital. To date, over 1,500 patients—including military personnel, civilians, and children—have undergone therapy using the system.
The core innovation, the Virtual Limb Mode, creates a high-fidelity visual model of a missing limb in a virtual environment. This interaction allows the brain to restore correct sensorimotor signals, reducing pathological pain and returning a sense of control to the patient. With patent applications pending in France, Italy, Austria, and Poland (expected in 2026), VRNOW is positioning itself at the forefront of global neuro-rehabilitation.
Exclusive Interview: A Conversation with Artem Chyhyrynskyi
TechUkraine: To start with the corporate side, is VRNOW Lab an independent startup or a division within Advin Global?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: VRNOW Lab is a separate startup. It originated from another company, Advin Global, whose investments made it possible to build the team, initiate development, and bring the technology to the level of a medical product. This product, in turn, became the starting point for the creation of VRNOW Lab — an independent full-cycle MedTech company focused on developing medical technologies using virtual reality.
TechUkraine: Who currently forms the core of the VRNOW team, and do you have medical advisors or scientists on staff permanently?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: Today, the core of VRNOW Lab is a team of 16 people, including developers, designers, project and product managers, and communications specialists working on both the product and its implementation. At the same time, no step in developing VR environments and exercises happens without medical oversight. Specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists have been involved as our consultants from the beginning.
TechUkraine: Securing a patent in Germany is a significant mark of quality. How difficult was the examination process, and what was the timeline from application to registration?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: The entire process took approximately 9–12 months. We had an advantage: we already held a utility model patent in Ukraine. Additionally, the Ukrainian IP office is now aligned with European institutions, which meant we had a limited timeframe to act. We submitted the application in Germany within the first 12 months after obtaining the Ukrainian patent, which significantly simplified the verification process and accelerated the review.
TechUkraine: Regarding European certification, where do you stand with the CE Mark (MDR)? When can the first European patients expect to officially receive therapy?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: The process of obtaining the European CE Mark (MDR) certification is currently in the post-application stage (filed in January 2026). For a Class IIa medical device, the estimated duration of the process is approximately 9–14 months. At the same time, the actual duration largely depends on the speed of interaction with the authorized bodies, in particular the Notified Body. The first patients in Europe should work with the technology to complete the full regulatory cycle. As part of the certification preparation, we plan to supply systems to selected EU clinics to conduct clinical cases and collect data in a controlled environment.
TechUkraine: Besides the EU, are you looking at the UK or the US, given their highly developed veteran rehabilitation sectors?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: Since the beginning of 2026, in parallel with obtaining the CE Mark (MDR), we have begun preparations for the FDA in the USA. This approach allows for efficient use of resources and does not duplicate processes. Today, regulatory requirements in the EU and the USA are partially synchronized: data, clinical approaches, and documentation generated within the framework of European certification can also be used for the American market. This makes it possible to move in parallel in both directions and consider the USA as the next stage of international expansion.
TechUkraine: How do you plan to scale in the EU—through SaaS licenses or a hardware-inclusive model?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: In the EU countries, we plan to scale up using a comprehensive solution model with equipment, similar to the approach we are already using in Ukraine. This involves selling a ready-made medical device at a fixed price. In Ukraine, in particular, within the framework of government contracts, the subscription model (SaaS) is not used, and we will synchronize here. At the same time, in the future, we are considering the possibility of selling individual software modules as an option to the basic solution.
TechUkraine: What aspects of the technology generated the most interest during your recent presentation at University Hospital Essen?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: During the visit to University Hospital Essen, we conducted a thorough presentation of VRNOW – around 20 specialists gathered, including department heads, the pain management team, and researchers. This was the second stage of engagement: following the online meeting, we moved to in-person, substantive discussions about integration. The greatest interest was in practical applications – phantom pain management, pediatric rehabilitation, and stroke recovery. Part of the team tested the simulator themselves, which significantly boosted confidence in the solution.
TechUkraine: Are you looking into new therapeutic directions or the use of AI for personalized treatment?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: VRNOW already operates well beyond phantom pain or post-stroke rehabilitation. The technology is applied across a wide range of conditions – from orthopedic and neurological disorders to trauma recovery – making it a universal tool that adapts to various clinical needs. In parallel, we are developing new directions together with clinicians, including VR solutions for pediatric ophthalmology (e.g., amblyopia) and psychological relief. On the AI side, we already use core modules – in particular for motion amplitude tracking and recovery dynamics analysis. Further development in this area, however, is closely tied to regulatory requirements (GDPR, medical device class IIa), so we are moving carefully: scaling is possible, but must comply with all applicable standards.
TechUkraine: How does VRNOW differentiate itself from established Western players like MindMaze or XRHealth?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: There are three key differentiators. First, technology: VRNOW implements full 3D body kinematics – the patient sees a complete avatar moving in sync with them. Second, clinical experience: the Ukrainian context has provided a unique volume of complex military trauma cases, and the technology has been refined on exactly these scenarios. Third, the patented Virtual Limb Mode, which addresses phantom pain by restoring sensorimotor signals. Together, these form our competitive advantage – a combination of technology, real-world practice, and solutions for complex clinical cases.
TechUkraine: Are you currently raising external funding, such as Seed or Series A?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: We are currently focused on organic growth, while also pursuing external investment and grant funding – including the EIC Accelerator.
TechUkraine: Are you in negotiations with European insurance companies to ensure the cost of VRNOW is covered by insurance?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: We are not yet in direct negotiations with European insurers, including German health funds. That said, we recognize that integration into insurance reimbursement models is essential for broad adoption in the EU – and plan to revisit this in 2026, following key certification milestones.
TechUkraine: With 1,500+ patients in Ukraine, are you building a proprietary database for VR rehabilitation?
Artem Chyhyrynskyi: We already collect and analyze anonymized patient data within clinical use — including recovery dynamics, range of motion, and exercise engagement — to improve therapy outcomes and guide product development. Building a large-scale database is a logical next step, and we have a strong foundation for it. However, this is closely tied to regulatory and ethical requirements, so for now we are focused on data quality and compliance, with scaling to follow.
Analysis: A New Standard for Global Rehabilitation
The journey of VRNOW from the frontlines of Ukraine to the patent offices of Germany marks a shift in how the world views Ukrainian MedTech. It is no longer just about “emergency solutions”, but about high-precision, data-backed technology that challenges existing global players. As 2026 progresses, the speed at which European clinics adopt this system will be a major indicator of how quickly the global healthcare market can integrate war-tested innovations.