Security Expert Turns Digital Therapeutics Entrepreneur: "Contributing to Society with Software Knowledge"
Using Computer Expertise to Venture into Digital Therapeutics: ADHD Digital Therapeutic Set for Clinical Trials by End of Year
Digital Therapeutic 'AttentionCare' Aims for Medical Device Approval; Plans to Expand to Depression and Diabetes Treatment
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Song Jong-ho – Established in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, HippoT&C is a startup specializing in digital therapeutics. The founder, Professor Tai-Myoung Chung (63) from Sungkyunkwan University's Department of Software, is one of Korea's leading experts in information security, with significant recognition in the security industry.
As Professor Chung approaches retirement next year, he has ventured into the relatively unfamiliar field of digital therapeutics. "It was a chance encounter about four years ago with some doctors I knew, who introduced me to the concept of digital therapeutics. This led to collaborative R&D projects," he said.
Digital therapeutics are IT-based, allowing Professor Chung to leverage his decades of expertise in information security and computer science. The opportunity to help people struggling with conditions like ADHD and depression also attracted him to this field.
How an Information Security Authority Entered the Digital Therapeutics Business
Although the field was quite new and met with skepticism from some, digital therapeutics use software technologies such as mobile apps, games, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) for disease prevention, management, and treatment. Classified as the third generation of therapeutics after synthetic and biopharmaceuticals, it is growing rapidly. According to a recent report by the Korean Intellectual Property Research Institute, the global digital therapeutics market was valued at about $4.2 billion (approximately 5.8562 trillion won) last year and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 26.1% until 2030.
The most active market for digital therapeutics is currently in the U.S. The first digital therapeutic, a mobile app for addiction treatment called 'reSET' developed by Pear Therapeutics in 2017, received FDA approval. Korea's digital therapeutics market is just beginning to develop, with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approving 13 products for clinical trials aimed at treating conditions like insomnia and anxiety. The potential for market growth is immense. With Professor Chung’s IT knowledge and network, HippoT&C is expected to have strong competitive potential in this field.
HippoT&C's digital therapeutic, 'AttentionCare', focuses on diagnosing and treating ADHD using VR and AI technology. AttentionCare-D analyzes children’s behavior during VR missions with AI, for instance, by having them sort colored balls. Based on the diagnostic results, AttentionCare-T provides personalized games designed to train attention.
Professor Chung explained, "AttentionCare-D is for diagnosis, and AttentionCare-T is for treatment. The system alternates between attention training and racing games to keep children engaged." He added, "Just like taking medicine after a hospital visit, it’s important to develop a consistent habit of using digital therapeutics." The program includes special music created by music experts to aid treatment.
Effectiveness of Digital Therapeutics
Professor Chung emphasized that while medications may offer immediate effects, digital therapeutics tend to have better cumulative results. He pointed out the health risks associated with medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate, which can cause dependency. He noted, "Digital therapeutics, if used consistently, can offer longer-lasting symptom relief compared to medications."
Plans for Future Expansion
The effectiveness of AttentionCare has been recognized internationally. Earlier this year, AttentionCare won two awards at CES 2022, the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, receiving accolades in the Virtual & Augmented Reality and Digital Health & Wellness categories.
Professor Chung's primary goal is to gain medical device approval for AttentionCare. He said, "We are nearing GMP certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety this month. After that, we plan to conduct clinical trials in Korea and the U.S. by the end of the year." The company anticipates the trials could take up to a year.
Professor Chung plans to continue expanding into digital therapeutics. "Currently, we are focused on developing ADHD treatments for children. In the future, we aim to develop digital therapeutics for adult conditions and other diseases such as depression, autism, panic disorders, and diabetes."
source : https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20220915_0002014718