The provider of specialist cancer navigation has acquired the digital prehabilitation specialist to help deliver rehabilitation services at scale. 

Reframe Cancer, a provider of specialist cancer navigation, has announced the acquisition of digital cancer prehabilitation business Alvie Health. The move establishes Reframe Cancer as the largest cancer support provider in the United Kingdom.

Financial terms have not been disclosed. 

Founded five years ago by NHS consultant surgeon Krishna Moorthy, a specialist in oesophageal and gastric cancer at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Alvie Health has successfully implemented digital prehabilitation across 13 NHS trusts within seven Cancer Alliances.

Data from Alvie Health indicates significant clinical impact, including an average 17% improvement in patient quality of life and measurable gains in physical fitness, alongside reductions in anxiety and depression. Notably, the digital-first approach has addressed health inequalities, with 45% of Alvie Health’s users originating from the UK’s most deprived communities.

Clinical value

Reframe Cancer has outlined a 12-month investment plan to scale Alvie Health’s offering. The integration will focus on delivering risk-stratified, equitable prehabilitation and rehabilitation services at scale, supporting the NHS goal of universal access – a leap from the estimated 20% of patients currently receiving such care.

Under the terms of the agreement, Krishna Moorthy and the full Alvie Health team will remain with the business. Reframe Cancer will provide additional management, sales and marketing infrastructure to accelerate growth. 

“The National Cancer Plan’s commitment to this field validates the enormous clinical value and cost savings prehabilitation offers the NHS,” said Reframe Cancer chief executive Mark Stephenson. “This acquisition allows us to deliver evidence-based digital solutions at a national scale, building on our 12 years of expertise in cancer navigation,” he continued.

Greyfriars Investments acted as advisers to Reframe Cancer on the transaction.