In a significant move to address growing substance use disorders, Novartis' Sandoz division has formed a partnership with Pear Therapeutics to develop and commercialize innovative digital therapeutics. The collaboration centers on expanding access to Pear's groundbreaking reSET platform, which made history as the first FDA-approved mobile medical application with both safety and efficacy labeling for substance use disorders.
Pioneering Digital Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
The reSET therapeutic platform targets multiple substance use disorders, including those involving alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and stimulants. Building on this foundation, Pear Therapeutics is developing reSET-O, a specialized version designed specifically for opioid use disorder patients receiving buprenorphine treatment, which is currently awaiting FDA approval.
Sandoz CEO Richard Francis emphasized the urgency of addressing the opioid crisis: "The opioid crisis is taking a devastating and growing toll on our communities, and we all have a role to play in helping find solutions that work for patients, families and communities."
Addressing the U.S. Opioid Crisis
The partnership comes at a critical time when drug overdose deaths in the United States exceed combined fatalities from gun homicides and car crashes. Opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription medications, are responsible for approximately two-thirds of these overdoses.
The digital therapeutics platform offers a novel approach by delivering cognitive behavioral therapy through mobile and desktop applications. These digital solutions can be prescribed either as standalone treatments or in combination with traditional drug therapies, providing healthcare providers with additional tools to combat substance use disorders.
Expanding Digital Therapeutic Portfolio
This agreement builds upon an existing collaboration between Novartis and Pear Therapeutics, which includes the development of prescription software applications for schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. The expanded partnership demonstrates growing confidence in digital therapeutics, further evidenced by Pear's recent $50 million financing round, which included significant investment from Novartis.
The collaboration represents a strategic approach to combining pharmaceutical expertise with innovative digital solutions, potentially offering new hope for patients struggling with substance use disorders. By integrating traditional treatment approaches with digital therapeutics, the partnership aims to provide more comprehensive care options for patients and healthcare providers.
