Sidekick Health, a digital therapeutics company, has partnered with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to launch an integrated digital therapeutics solution for atopic dermatitis (AD).
The solution will be rolled out first in the UK, followed by Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Ireland and Japan later this year.
This marks the next phase of a growing collaboration between Sidekick and PfizerDeveloping digital patient support programs worldwide, including expansion into 24 markets by 2024.
WHY IT MATTERS
AD is an inflammatory, pruritic, chronic or chronically relapsing skin disease affecting up to 14% of adults worldwide. People with moderate to severe AD often suffer from constant and unrelenting itching that leads to sleep deprivation, increased stress, and anxiety that affects their quality of life.
However, one of the challenges in treating AD effectively is that patient adherence to therapy tends to be low. Sidekick’s digital therapy platform aims to address this using gamification principles and behavioral economics to deliver treatments across care pathways that help inspire lasting behavioral change. This has a positive impact on health outcomes by addressing the same endpoints as traditional treatments.
Sidekick recently completed an independently funded proof of concept study for AD showing a greater than 40% reduction in the severity and extent of skin lesions, as assessed by dermatologists, and a nearly 50% reduction in overall symptom severity.
Individuals who participated in the study also reported significant improvements in health-related quality of life and increased adherence to treatments and preventive measures.
THE GREATER CONTEXT
Earlier this month, Sidekick announced the closure of a $55 million (€52m)Series B roundbringing its total funding to $75 million in less than two years.
In addition to partnering with Pfizer, the company has previously worked with a global pharmaceutical company Bayerto develop integrated combination therapies.
ON THE RECORD
dr Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, CEO and co-founder of Sidekick, said: “We are extremely excited to enter the next phase of our ongoing relationship with Pfizer. At Sidekick, it has always been our goal to help as many people as possible to improve their disease management in a sustainable way, with the aim of improving people’s health and quality of life. Our collaboration with Pfizer reinforces our mission to bring digital therapeutics into the home of people around the world.”
Ana Paula Carvalho, Regional President, International Developed Markets, Inflammation and Immunology, Pfizer said, “Autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis can be debilitating, disfiguring and distressing, dramatically impacting the opportunities of people living with the disease.
“At Pfizer, we know patient care goes beyond medical advances, and we’re proud to partner with Sidekick to put their technology in the hands of the people who need it most. A holistic approach to treating the individual, not just the disease, is essential to improving the standard of care for patients and empowering them to live their best life.”
