Developing an FDA approved therapeutic for ADHD has been one of the most difficult tasks in medicine.
But Boston-based digital therapeutics company Akili Interactive has a unique approach to trying to solve it: video games.
The big idea:
- Akili Interactive (NASDAQ: AKLI) has developed the world’s first FDA approved video game for children with ADHD called EndeavourRx
- Created by neuroscientists and game developers, EndeavourRx targets select parts of the brain that are responsible for attention span
- Through sensory stimulus, the game play challenges kids to multi task and block out distractions
- Akili’s technology tracks the data as each child plays the game and creates customizations in real time
Why it matters:
- Providing a non drug therapy for ADHD is an exciting breakthrough and lowers the risk of side effects
- ADHD, especially in children, is notoriously difficult to treat effectively
- In clinical trials for EndeavourRx there were zero reported serious adverse side effects
Going deeper:
- For children to use EndeavourRx it needs to be prescribed by a doctor
- However, Akili has recently released EndeavourOTC in the United States which is made for adults and can be used without a prescription
- A multi site, 200+ person participant adult trial for EndeavourOTC showed very strong outcomes, with 83% of people experiencing a meaningful change in attention function
By the numbers:
- Akili went public onto the NASDAQ via a SPAC deal which landed them roughly $163M USD in growth capital
- Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital and legendary venture capitalist, was a lead investor in Akili and is currently chairman of the board
The fine print:
- Currently Akili’s technology is only available in the United States
- While EndeavourRx has been authorized by the FDA for use in children, EndeavourOTC has not yet but approved by the FDA for use in adults
