What You Should Know:
– Mika Health, a leading developer of digital therapeutics for cancer patients, announced a collaborative initiative called “UNITE” alongside pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
– The strategic initiative signifies a commitment to cross-industry collaboration to enhance the lives of cancer patients and is expected to pave the way for AI-powered solutions in other disease areas.
Mika Health: A Proven Digital Therapeutic Platform
Mika Health boasts a well-established track record, having already supported over 100,000 cancer patients in Germany and Great Britain. Recognized as a Class IIa medical device under the EU’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR), Mika Health empowers patients with:
- Mental health coaching: Personalized courses designed to address the emotional aspects of cancer treatment.
- AI-powered recommendations: Tailored suggestions based on individual needs.
- Daily symptom monitoring: Tools to actively track and report treatment side effects.
These features aim to increase patient engagement and improve the overall treatment experience.
UNITE to Focus on Breast Cancer Patients in Switzerland
The UNITE program will initially target breast cancer patients in German-speaking regions of Switzerland. These patients will utilize the Mika Health app alongside their prescribed medications. The program, launched in April 2024, has garnered support from EUROPA DONNA Switzerland and the Cancer League. Following this initial phase, the program will expand to include French and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland.
Mika Health App: Combining Proven Techniques with AI
The Mika Health app leverages a unique combination of established therapeutic methods and cutting-edge machine learning technology. It offers patients valuable resources, including:
- Informative content: Educational materials covering topics like nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and financial considerations related to treatment.
- Digital therapeutic support: The app functions as a digital companion, providing support for depressive symptoms and fatigue. A randomized clinical trial demonstrated a significant decrease in both – depressed mood by 42% and chronic fatigue by 23% compared to the control group.
Breast Cancer: A Global Challenge
Despite advancements in treatment, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. In 2020 alone, an estimated 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed, accounting for one in four new cancer cases. Additionally, breast cancer claimed approximately 685,000 lives, translating to one in six cancer deaths globally. While Switzerland sees over 6,000 new cases annually, the disease can also affect men, with around 50 diagnosed each year.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to expand access to personalized support aimed at increasing patients’ understanding, sense of control and physical and mental health,” said Dr. Gandolf Finke, founder and Managing Director of Mika Health. “This exciting combination of evidence-based digital support and innovative drug research is a significant opportunity to improve cancer treatment experiences and increase survival rates in the leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide.”
