Newel Health scores $2.5M from MJFF for Parkinson’s app
Summary
So, being able to find what the right dose is to begin with, and then to fine tune that over time is a huge challenge in Parkinsons disease.Data on motor symptoms (for instance, tremor, freezing in gait, and swaying) are detected with the help of a consumer wearable a Garmin Vivosmart. But, in order to engage users and to collect additional useful data, the app also offers various tools: an exercise programme, a speech therapy programme, stress management resources, and medication management tools.This universe of data that were collecting is being used to develop an algorithm [] that says, for this person, given everything thats going on with [them, their regimen] should be changed to this amount of medication and this frequency for them to be able to keep their symptoms more under control, Chill\xe8 explained.This kind of intervention is important because it presents a vast improvement on the current standard of care.When you consider that most people around the world who have access to good neurologists maybe see their neurologist once or twice per year, and then during those visits decisions are made on how to change their medication through trial and error, at this point, there isnt really anything that can provide an objective, up-to-date, near real-time picture of whats going on with that person, Chill\xe8 said. Fox Foundation grant is a statement of support not just for Newel Health and Orions work on Soturi, but for digital therapeutics more broadly: the vast majority of the foundations grant money goes towards biological research into Parkinsons, towards the aim of finding a cure.But even though, in the short term, Newels work with Soturi is focused on disease management, they could be helping in that goal as well, because the data collected in the project will be available to researchers through the MJFFs open data initiative, Chill\xe8 said.In the meantime, for Newel Health, the grant will allow them to advance some preliminary research.Were going to have a small study with neurologists to see if they would follow the recommendations and if not, why not, Chill\xe8 explained. Biotechs will do research and development of a drug, will take it up to a certain phase of validation, up to a point where early data can start showing the promise and potential effectiveness of that solution. Soturi is one of several early projects from the company others include Amicomed, a lifestyle management app for people with hypertension, and H.Core, a proprietary software framework that underpins DTx development.At Newel Health, we aim to create solutions like Soturi that can truly make a difference in peoples lives, by harnessing the power of data and technology and keeping the human touch at the forefront of our products, PierPaolo Iagulli, chief operating officer at Newel Health, said in a statement.