NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Happify
Health, a global leader in mental health technology, today
announced it signed an agreement with global biopharmaceutical
company Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) to advance the application of digital
therapeutics to address key co-morbidities for individuals living
with multiple sclerosis (MS), including depression and
anxiety.
Happify Health will develop a version of its digital platform
specifically for people with MS and plans to submit the
co-developed digital therapy to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for clearance as a medical device.
"We've been preparing for our entry into prescription digital
therapeutics for several years," said Ofer
Leidner, co-founder and president of Happify Health. "Our
experience as a successful direct-to-consumer application with
nearly 4 million users and our commercial relationships with some
of the nation's largest health plans and multinational employers,
has allowed us to develop some highly differentiated capabilities.
These capabilities, along with Sanofi's demonstrated commitment to
digital transformation, made for an ideal collaboration rooted in
exploring innovative, safe and effective therapies aiming to
improve the lives of individuals with MS."
Once the MS-specific digital therapeutic has been developed
through this joint collaboration, the road to FDA clearance will
require new clinical validation to demonstrate the safety and
efficacy of the therapy for people living with MS. Happify
Health has already demonstrated effectiveness of its existing,
non-specific solution in reducing anxiety and depression within the
general population through a randomized controlled trial in
2018. Published in the International Journal of
Wellbeing, the study found nearly a 25% reduction in symptoms
of anxiety and more than a 25% reduction in symptoms of depression
for those using Happify at the recommended level (a minimum of 16
activities completed over eight weeks). Additionally, research
demonstrates industry-leading engagement rates for Happify Health
users, with over 40% still active on the platform after 12
months.
A Market for Digital Therapeutics to Address MS and Mental
Health
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), MS
affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide, with 1 million
being in the U.S.i Major depressive disorder is
estimated to be as much as three times as prevalent in individuals
with MS as in the general population; and anxiety is estimated to
be 20 percent more prevalent in the MS population than in the
general population.ii Up to half of all people
living with MS show signs of
depression.iii
"We know that, for certain chronic conditions, mental health is
perhaps the most significant underlying comorbidity," said
Ameet Nathwani, Sanofi's chief
medical officer and chief digital officer. "Happify Health's
ability to address mental health issues so effectively in a digital
environment provides an ideal complement to Sanofi's traditional
therapies, allowing us to continue delivering on our commitment to
bring innovative treatments and programs to people living with
MS."
The use of digital therapeutics by pharmaceutical and life
sciences companies continue to gain momentum, bolstered by growing
validation of new digital modalities in enhancing traditional
therapies, and as stand-alone treatments. PwC Health Research
Institute (HRI) reports that more than 40% of pharmaceutical
companies are developing digital therapeutics or connected devices,
and another 42% are planning to do so within the next few
years.iv More than half of consumers surveyed by
HRI reported they would use an FDA-approved digital therapeutic for
treatment of a medical condition. Physicians are interested
as well with 56% of surveyed physicians reporting that they
have discussed an app or digital program with a patient in the last
12 months.v
"Our differentiation is in providing a highly configurable
platform that delivers proven, highly-engaging digital therapies
for anxiety and depression, and enables users to take a greater
role in managing aspects of their conditions," said Chris Wasden, Happify Health's Head of DTx. "Our
platform provides a potential alternative or complement to current
therapies, one which is safe, effective, and maximized for
engagement, leading to greater treatment adherence and significant
impact on an individual's quality of life."
Sanofi and Happify Health view this collaboration as the
beginning of a long-term effort to use technology to improve
outcomes in a cost-effective, accessible and patient-engaging
way.
"Until now, physicians treating MS, have not had evidence-based,
digital tools to treat comorbidities in tandem with the primary
condition," said Bozidar Jovicevic,
Sanofi's global head of digital medicine. "In collaboration
with Happify Health, we now have the opportunity to develop an
MS-specific digital therapeutic based on platform that is not only
poised to affect outcomes, but is also proven to be engaging, a
critical factor for improving overall patient health."
MTS Health Partners, L.P. served as a financial advisor to
Happify Health on this transaction.
About Happify Health
Happify Health, a leader in
mental health technology and digital therapeutics, breaks down
barriers to achieving better mental health by creating an engaging,
stigma-free environment that allows individuals to access digital
interventions with any device – at the place and time when it
matters most. Its evidence-based activities, combined with its
digital, gamification approach, helps users build skills and change
health behaviors to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and
depression. Happify Health uses scientific research from
positive psychology, CBT and mindfulness, and combines it with
leading-edge technology to impact everyday lives. For more
information go to www.happifyhealth.com.
About Sanofi
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people
through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical
company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines,
provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We
stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions
with long-term chronic conditions. With more than 100,000
people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific
innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.
i https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Landmark-Study-Estimates-Nearly%C2%A01-Million-in-the-U
ii https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Clinical_Bulletin_Emotional-Disorders-in-MS.pdf
iii https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/psychological-impact-of-multiple-sclerosis
iv https://www.pwc.com/us/acceleration-by-regulation
v https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/top-health-industry-issues/digital-therapeutics-and-connected-care.html
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SOURCE Happify Health