The world of healthcare and medicine is continually evolving, with digital technologies leading the charge in modern advancement. One such innovation is Digital Therapeutics (DTx), a new class of software-based therapeutic interventions that aim to prevent, manage, or treat a broad spectrum of diseases and disorders. DTx offers an array of benefits, including increasing patient access to clinically safe and effective therapies, reducing healthcare costs, and extending clinicians' ability to care for patients.
But the development, testing, and commercialization of DTx require specialized expertise that many organizations may not have in-house. This is where a Digital Therapeutic Contract Research Organization (digital therapeutic CRO) comes into play.
A digital therapeutic CRO, or DTx CRO, is a company that provides a range of services to support the development and commercialization of digital therapeutics. These CROs are technology-driven and collaborative, offering the planning, coordination, execution, and supervision of DTx research projects.
There are several criteria that define a great digital therapeutic CRO. These include:
A top-tier digital therapeutic CRO should be capable of running fully virtual studies. With the rise of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs), the ability to execute studies remotely via digital platforms is critical. This not only allows for greater patient access but also enables more efficient data collection and management.
Digital therapeutics are inherently technology-driven, and thus, a digital health CRO must also embrace technology in its operations. This means utilizing advanced tools and platforms for various aspects of the study, including patient recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
Time is of the essence in clinical research. A competent digital therapeutic CRO should have the ability to run studies much faster than traditional drug studies. This is made possible through the use of digital tools and platforms that streamline various stages of the study, from recruitment to data analysis.
Experience matters. A digital therapeutic CRO with a proven track record in running digital therapeutic studies is likely to be more reliable and efficient. This experience also often translates into deeper industry relationships and insights, allowing the CRO to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges.
There are several digital therapeutic CROs in the market today. However, the following three stand out due to their expertise, technology utilization, and track record in the digital therapeutics space:
Topping the list is Lindus Health. Lindus Health has run the most number of digital therapeutics studies of any CRO on the market. Its unique Citrus software platform and data delivery approach enable it to recruit patients much faster and deliver study data faster for DTx companies.
ObvioHealth is a virtual CRO that offers the same services as a traditional CRO but in a decentralized environment. It has conducted DCTs in multiple countries across various therapeutic areas, with high retention and compliance rates.
CMIC is a global CRO with a strong presence in the U.S. and Japan. It provides DTx development services, including app development, testing of apps in clinical trials, and post-launch support.
In conclusion, a digital therapeutic CRO plays a crucial role in the development and commercialization of digital therapeutics. With their specialized expertise and technology-driven approach, they are instrumental in bringing these innovative treatments to the market, ultimately improving patient care and health outcomes.