Digital therapeutics firm, Sidekick Health has joined forces with pharma giant Pfizer to launch an integrated digital therapeutics solution for Atopic Dermatitis (AD).

The solution will be rolled-out in the UK first, 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 Pfizer to develop digital patient support programmes globally, including expansion into 24 markets by 2024.

WHY IT MATTERS

AD is an inflammatory, pruritic, chronic, or chronically relapsing skin disease that affects up to 14% of adults worldwide. People living with moderate to severe AD often suffer from constant and relentless itching, leading to sleep deprivation, increased stress and anxiety that affects the quality of their lives.

However, one of the challenges of effectively treating AD is that patients’ adherence to treatment tends to be low. Sidekick’s digital therapeutics platform aims to address this using gamification principles and behavioural economics to deliver treatment through care pathways that help inspire lasting behavioural change. This positively impacts health outcomes by addressing the same endpoints as traditional treatments.

Sidekick recently completed an independently funded feasibility study for AD, showing a reduction in skin lesion severity and extension by more than 40%, as evaluated by dermatologists, and close to 50% reduction in the overall severity of symptoms.

People who participated in the study also reported a significant improvement in health-related quality of life and increased adherence to treatments and preventive measures.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Earlier this month, Sidekick announced the closing of a $55 million (€52M) Series B round which brings its total funding in less than two years to $75 million (€70.8M).

As well as partnering with Pfizer, the firm has previously worked with global pharma firm Bayer, to develop integrated combination therapeutics.

ON THE RECORD

Dr Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, CEO and cofounder, Sidekick, said: “We are extremely excited to be entering the next phase in our ongoing relationship with Pfizer. At Sidekick, it’s always been our ambition to help as many people as possible to make long-lasting improvements to their disease management, with the aim of improving people’s health outcomes and quality of life. Our work with Pfizer escalates our mission to bring digital therapeutics into the homes of people around the world.”

Ana Paula Carvalho, regional president, international developed markets, inflammation and immunology, Pfizer, said: “Autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis can be debilitating, disfiguring, and distressing, dramatically affecting what people living with the disease can do.

“At Pfizer, we recognize patient care goes beyond medical advances and we are proud to be working with Sidekick to put their technology in the hands of people who need it most. A holistic approach to treating the individual, not just the disease, is essential in order to advance the standard of care for patients and to empower them to live their best lives.”