Dive Brief:
- A group of digital health startups have joined forces to advance adoption and integration of digital therapeutic solutions, MobiHealthNews reported.
- Digital Therapeutics Alliance members will collaborate on development of real-world evidence studies and pilot programs, industry and regulatory frameworks and databases.
- Founding members include cognitive therapeutics firm Akili Interactive, digital asthma and COPD management firm Propeller Health, digital diabetes solution Voluntis and chronic disease management firm WellDoc.
Dive Insight:
As digital technologies evolve, more companies are focusing on the clinical provider space. That can be a harder sell than consumers. To consider a digital product, providers want to see clinical validation, usability, workflow integration and economic value, Alex Ding, a diagnostic and interventional radiologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, told Healthcare Dive earlier this year.
“This specialized category of products emerged from the broader digital health category, and has quickly differentiated itself via companies’ clinical fidelity, evidence-based approaches, policy engagement, and commitment to outcome-based reimbursement,” Sean Duffy, CEO of Omada Health and DTA’s strategic advisor, said in a statement released by the alliance.
In its first major action, DTA announced a strategic partnership with the Personal Connected Health Alliance, a nonprofit founded by HIMSS. The move will give DTA use of PCHA’s infrastructure, resources and reach in pursuing its goals. PCHA has also launched a digital therapeutics task force led by Voluntis CEO Pierre Leurent.
The digital therapeutics market is expected to reach $9 billion by 2025, up from about $1.7 billion in 2016, according to Grand View Research. Fueling growth are increases in chronic diseases, an emphasis on preventive health and pressures to reduce healthcare spending. Leading the space will be solutions for diabetes, obesity and continuous monitoring, the report says.
