Pharmaceutical giant Novartis joins forces with PEAR Therapeutics

Will digital health soon make its mark on long-term care?

Novartis is making headlines for their new partnership with PEAR, a company that specializes in soſtware-based healthcare solutions. In addition to their cutting-edge prescription products, the drug manufacturer is clearly concerned about the impact of digital medicine and their role in developing tech-oriented therapies.

According to their website, PEAR focuses on “the development of prescription digital therapeutics to treat diseases with high unmet medical need.” Their current
projects—targeting everything from anxiety disorders and substance abuse to post-surgical pain and insomnia—have received widespread acclaim following clinical trials.

There’s an app for that

As news of the Novartis-PEAR team-up spread, industry experts learned more about the deal. Representatives say they’ll be working on two soſtware applications—one for people suffering from early-stage multiple sclerosis, and the other for patients with schizophrenia. As opposed to face-to-face treatment, the digital products provide interventions from the comfort and convenience of a smartphone or similar device.

Much more than a virtual counselor, these highly sophisticated systems are bringing artificial intelligence and other technologies to patients’ typical prescription regimens. Here’s a look at some of PEAR’s innovative therapies on the fast track to FDA approval:

 

On the shoulders of giants

PEAR has already made huge strides in their early research, development and testing of THRIVE™, which is currently in the pre-submission stage of the FDA approval
process. With backing from Novartis, there’s a strong chance the app-integrated schizophrenia treatment will be available to patients sooner than expected.

Using a multimodal approach to therapy, the soſtware proves beneficial to both patient and caregiver through its easy-to-use dual interface. Alongside their usual prescription treatment, patients receive virtual reinforcement therapy and interventions; meanwhile, clinicians can remotely monitor their progress and keep track of symptoms.

Dare we go digital?
Slowly but surely, LTC providers have begun to adopt telehealth tools and practices into their care plans. Today, increasingly more patients are embracing smart  technologies and have access to required devices, making these new resources both feasible and affordable. With big pharma on board the digital train, it’s time we all reconsider possibilities for delivering therapeutic and prescription treatments.