A University of Manchester spinout company which helps older people to improve their balance, stay stronger, safer and more independent has been named Product of the Year at the 2026 BioNow Awards.
The awards celebrate excellence across the North of England's life sciences community and recognise organisations delivering meaningful impact through scientific innovation, healthcare advancement and commercial success.
Professor Emma Stanmore, CEO of the NHS-approved downloadable health platform called Koku Health, and the KOKU Team accepted the accolade at the Concorde Conference Centre in Greater Manchester last week.
KOKU- short for Keep-On-Keep-Up - has been widely used in NHS programmes, care homes, and by older adults at home to help improve strength, balance, and independence while preventing falls.
Researchers have shown it reduces functional decline by improving strength and balance and lowers the risk of falls, helping older people maintain independence and improve quality of life while reducing pressure on health and care services.
Falls remain one of the leading causes of injury, hospital admission and loss of independence among older adults, creating a significant challenge for health systems across the UK and globally.
By combining clinically validated exercise programmes with engaging digital design, KOKU supports sustained participation in strength and balance training that can be delivered safely at home.
The platform enables older adults to access tailored exercises suited to their individual ability and progress at their own pace while maintaining motivation through game-based features.
Healthcare providers can also use the platform to support preventative care strategies aimed at improving mobility, strength and confidence in ageing populations.
This year's awards saw 149 applications from 86 organisations, a record level of engagement that reflected the strength and diversity of innovation across the region
Emma Stanmore is Professor in Gerontology and Healthy Ageing Research Group Lead at the University of Manchester 's School of Health Sciences.
She said: "This award is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has done to create a solution that genuinely improves people's lives.
"Our goal has always been to help older adults stay stronger, safer and more independent for longer, and we are incredibly proud to see KOKU recognised for the positive impact it is already making.
"Winning Product of the Year highlights the growing importance of digital health technologies that combine clinical evidence with scalable solutions capable of reaching large patient populations.
"KOKU continues to expand its partnerships with healthcare providers and organisations focused on healthy ageing as demand grows for digital tools that support preventative care and long-term wellbeing."
Bionow is a membership organisation that supports and connects companies, universities, and professionals in the life sciences and biotech sectors across Northern England.
It provides networking, events, industry advocacy, and business support to help grow the regional life sciences ecosystem
- See more about KoKu here
