Mahana Therapeutics has announced it has entered a distribution and marketing partnership with the Consumer Health division of Bayer, opening commercialisation avenues for the company’s digital therapeutics range.
Mahana said in a statement announcing the news that the partnership is worth millions, though the exact financials of the deal has not been disclosed.
In May this year, Bayer targeted precision health with the launch of a new business unit – the Consumer Health Division. The formation of the group was tasked with focusing on digital solutions, with Bayer saying it will partner with digital health providers and startups to deliver evidence-based precision health products to market.
In a statement announcing the group’s formation, David Evendon-Challis, head of R&D and chief scientific officer for the Consumer Health division of Bayer, said: “As people increasingly turn to self-care to manage their everyday health, new digital tools are enabling them to make smarter choices through deeper and more precise understanding of their individual needs.”
Mahana is known for its prescription digital therapeutic for irritable bowel syndrome. Mahana IBS, which gained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for mobile devices in 2021, is a three-month digital course that uses cognitive behavioural therapy to manage and reduce IBS symptoms.
Digital therapeutics have gained traction in the healthcare industry over recent years. There is also considerable interest in their use for treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Uptake challenges remain, however, with reimbursement status still difficult.
“This historic partnership is among the first major investments ever made by a global life sciences company into the emerging marketplace for digital therapeutics,” said Simon Levy, CEO of Mahana.
“Through this agreement, we can further expand the availability of our innovative prescription digital therapeutics for patients and their caregivers around the world who seek effective treatment for chronic conditions.”
