The Stockholm-based Digital Therapeutics (DTx) company Alex Therapeutics and Pfizer have joined forces to provide evidence-based, clinically validated and personalized digital therapies to patients. Together, the companies cover a broad range of expertise in the fields of medicine, marketing, clinical validation, AI, software development and psychology. The partnership will initially focus on Germany.
How will it work?
The partnership will utilize Alex Therapeutics’ AI-powered digital therapeutics platform “Alex DTx Platform”. The platform combines evidence-based psychology, primarily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with AI, and provides personalized standalone treatments to address unmet needs among patients worldwide.
The initial focus of the partnership is a digital therapy treating nicotine addiction via smartphone. The medical device was developed by Alex Therapeutics and adapted to the requirements of the German healthcare system together with Pfizer Germany. Pfizer is currently conducting an extensive clinical trial in Germany to further validate the medical benefits of the solution.
On the record
“In our efforts to give patients access to new, innovative forms of therapy, it is our aim to fully benefit from the possibilities of digitization. Alex Therapeutics is a very promising company due to its approach of combining the latest psychological findings on dealing with harmful behavior with the possibilities of artificial intelligence,” said Aylin Tüzel, Country Manager Pfizer Germany, explaining the choice of cooperation partner.
“The collaboration with Pfizer enables us to combine our technology and expertise with one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and gives us unique access to an attractive healthcare market,” said John Drakenberg Renander, CEO of Alex Therapeutics. “Pfizer’s unique experience of the needs of patients and doctors provides us with the opportunity to put our technology into the hands of those that need it the most.”
“We are working around the globe to leverage innovative digital approaches to enhance patient experiences and improve health outcomes,” added Josh Raysman, the leader of Pfizer’s Digital Innovation Lab. “With the recent Digital Supply Act, the expertise of Pfizer’s colleagues in Germany, and the capabilities of Alex Therapeutics we have an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of patient-centric partnerships focused on transforming healthcare with digital treatments”
The context
In January 2017, Germany and Sweden decided on a comprehensive partnership for innovation. The partnership tackles societal challenges within key areas, such as ehealth and AI, where Germany and Sweden have strong positions, and holds potential to develop the role of the EU.