Digital Therapies (DTx) Acceleration Program in Obesity.
Are you a startup or an academic project leader? Have you developed a digital solution (TRL ≥ 5) aimed at improving obesity management?
Join our acceleration program and benefit from unique support to accelerate the development and marketing of your DTx.
Promoting the marketing of digital therapies for obesity
Prevalence of obesity
Obesity affects a growing proportion of the French population, with nearly 17% of adults affected in 2023, according to data from Public Health France.
This prevalence has almost doubled since the 1990s, reflecting changes in lifestyles, diet and sedentary lifestyles.
Furthermore, obesity is associated with a significant increase in co-pathologies, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
Innovation needs
Digital therapeutics (DTx) are medical devices based on mobile applications, scientifically validated and often used in addition to traditional care.
DTx can play a critical role in helping patients change their behaviors over the long term through personalized programs focused on nutrition, physical activity, or emotional management. These tools often integrate cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to encourage engagement and adherence to treatment.
Market access complexity
The marketing of DTx poses several specific challenges, particularly in the European context where CE marking is mandatory.
Reimbursement by the healthcare system is a key factor in ensuring access to DTx for patients. This often requires demonstrating, through rigorous clinical trials, the effectiveness of the solution in meeting targeted medical needs. Finally, raising awareness among healthcare professionals about these new approaches is essential to encourage their adoption and prescription.
Program Partners
AppThera is a platform dedicated to healthcare professionals, facilitating the selection and prescription of digital therapies (DTx) for their patients. These therapies are mobile applications certified as medical devices, having demonstrated their clinical efficacy through randomized controlled studies.
Novo Nordisk is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development and marketing of treatments for chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, blood clotting disorders and growth disorders.
About the program
The DTx Obesity Acceleration program aims to support startups and academic project leaders who develop digital solutions for the management of obesity.
For 6 months, the winners will benefit from tailor-made support offered by AppThera and Novo Nordisk, covering analysis of the existing situation, regulatory strategy, clinical evaluation strategy and market access.
This program is designed to enable innovations to overcome the complex challenges of going to market and to be sustainably integrated into care pathways.
The program's partner teams will support the winners on all the issues involved in bringing their innovation to market.
🏛️ Regulatory, clinical and market access strategy
Review and monitoring of the market access strategy, in particular via reimbursement of the digital solution.
🚀 Deployment strategy
Support for the development of the marketing plan, with or without a partner.
💰 Budget estimate and roadmap
Help to optimize expenses and implementation deadlines for winning projects.
👨⚕️ Visibility with healthcare professionals
Making selected projects visible to French healthcare professionals involved in the journeys of patients with obesity.
🤝 Access to a network of qualified experts
The expert network is made up of consulting firms with expertise in digital medical devices.
✨ Partnership opportunities
Each winner will have the opportunity to engage in partnership discussions with the Novo Nordisk and AppThera teams.
Calendar
Information webinar
🗓️ January 29, 2025
End of applications
🗓️ February 14, 2025
Pitching sessions
🗓️ March 4 and 5, 2025
Starting the program
🗓️ 26 mars 2025
Selection criteria
✓
Digital therapy (DTx)
Software application (mobile, web, VR, etc.) intended for patients and with a therapeutic aim.
Having or aiming for CE marking.
✓
Existing project
Existing project (TRL 5 minimum) and wishing to be part of a regulatory and clinical approach.
✓
Evidence of effectiveness in obesity
Whatever the mode of action (nutrition, physical activity, psychology, etc.), the project must include a clinical demonstration for patients suffering from obesity.
FAQ
How much does the program cost?
The program is free for selected candidates.
I don't have a company yet, can I apply?
Yes, if your project is sufficiently advanced (TRL 5), you can apply, with or without a incorporated company.
Who will select the projects?
The jury consists of members from AppThera and Novo Nordisk.
What will the program consist of?
The program will take place in several individual working sessions aimed at challenging the solution, refining its positioning in the care pathway and working on market access.