Weird Science
Digital therapeutics are a hot commodity. As reported in this month’s cover story, software programs are part of a new class of therapeutics — digital medicines — that can lead to changes in behavior and provide clinical benefit. But digital therapeutics go beyond behavior modification programs; they are digital tools that have been tested in clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy. These software-enabled therapeutics represent a new generation of healthcare that uses innovative, clinically validated disease management, and treatment technologies to enhance, and in some cases replace, current medical practices and treatments.
Currently, there are about three dozen companies operating in this emerging space, with significant growth expected in the future. One analyst predicts that the digital therapeutics market will be valued at $457.9 million in 2021, and another report from Grand View Research states the digital therapeutics market will be worth more than $9 billion in 2025. Grand View believes the market is being catapulted by increasing incidences of chronic diseases, increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare, the need to curb healthcare expenditures, and added benefits offered by digital therapeutics. Additionally, the increasing number of venture capitalists investing in the market is another factor that is accelerating its growth. Digital therapeutics, which also encompass software-for drugs, offer a number of benefits, such as continuous monitoring of patient’s vital stats and the ability to ensure adherence to medications.
Last fall, a group of health startups in the digital therapeutics space joined together to create a new industry association, the Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA). Founding members include a number of digital health innovators: Propeller Health, WellDoc, Akili Interactive, Omada Health, and Voluntis. Their goal is to work together to promote real-world evidence studies and pilot programs, create industry standards and frameworks, and develop shared data repositories.
According to Akili Interactive CEO Eddie Martucci, Ph.D., digital therapeutics are re-writing our definition of medicine, further noting that it’s critical that industry, academia, government, and the medical community work together in the next phase of medical adoption.
“We’re excited to drive this effort alongside other leaders who share our dedication to rigorous clinical validation and organizational excellence in product development; it is truly a new class of medicine," he said in a statement.
He believes that five years from now we will see digital medicine being used in mainstream medical care, meaning alongside or even in combination with standard pharmacological treatment.
In October 2017, digital therapeutics received a big boost when Pear Therapeutics received an Expedited Access Pathway-O (EAP) designation from the FDA for its reSET Prescription Digital Therapeutic, a first of its kind treatment designed for treating opioid use disorder. reSET is the first FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutic to treat any disease.
As we move forward, it’s clear that software has come a long way since those two teenagers in the John Hughes’ 80s classic engaged in weird science to create Kelly LeBrock’s super human character.
Taren Grom, Editor
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Their word…
Denise Myshko
Managing Editor
Digital medicines aim to go beyond games to provide clinically tested therapeutics to enhance treatments for many diseases.
Robin Robinson
Senior Editor
Within the next two years, the pharma industry will be piloting other uses for blockchain technology, such as EHRs and smart contracts, beyond supply chain track and trace.
Kim Ribbink
Features Editor
The move to more uniform regulations is slow, but companies should take advantage of greater efforts to harmonize.
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March 2018
Moving Beyond the “Beyond the Pill" Conversation
Data Analytics
Diversity in Clinical Trials
Compassionate Use
RNAi Technologies
Women & Health: Women Leaders
Showcase Features:
Brand Building
Market Research
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Masthead
Volume 18 • Number 2
Publisher Lisa Banket
Editor Taren Grom
Creative Director Marah Walsh
Managing Editor
Denise Myshko
Senior Editor
Robin Robinson
features EDitor
Kim Ribbink
Design Associate
Ariel Medel
Director of Sales
Cathy Tracy
National Account Manager
Suzanne Besse
Webcast Network Producer
Daniel Limbach
Circulation Assistant
Kathy Deiuliis
Copyright 2018
by PharmaLinx LLC, Titusville, NJ
Printed in the U.S.A.
Volume Eighteen, Number Two
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