DTx Spotlight: An Interview with Daniel Amann

In this month's episode of DTx Spotlight I sat down with Founder and CEO of edupression.com , Daniel Amann .

I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel at Frontiers Health last month after he delivered an incredible pitch to a panel of VCs and Investors on the digital solution he has developed for the effective first line therapy for depression.

With a background as a trained lawyer, Daniel brings a unique perspective to the field of digital health. His commitment to advancing mental health solutions is evidenced by the success of edupression? and its significant impact on depression severity and literacy, as demonstrated in clinical studies.

With an alarmingly high number of depressed patients still receiving the wrong or inadequate therapy, edupression? is focused on prevention rather than effective therapy and has just been announced as the first Austrian company to be permanently listed in the DiGA directory.

Daniel and I discussed the issues with how we currently treat depression and the high costs associated with this, the role that DTx play in supporting patients, how digital phenotyping can help us to detect and prevent depression and what's next for edupression?.

Thanks for joining me Daniel, let's kick off with telling us a little bit about edupression?

"edupression? stands as a potent first-line therapy for unipolar depression, holding official approval as a Digital Health Application (DiGA) in Germany. It is prescribed by healthcare professionals, including physicians and psychotherapists, with coverage under health insurance. Noteworthy a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) conducted by the Medical University of Vienna demonstrates its efficacy and favourable side effect profile, comparable to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy.

"edupression? is a unique amalgamation of two CE-certified medical devices, grounded in the mechanisms of (1) digital psychotherapy, (2) psychoeducation, and (3) therapy feedback.

"Conceived around four years ago by Dr. Pezawas, a professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of Vienna, and myself, the company is headquartered in Austria. We take pride in being the first Austrian DiGA with a permanent green light in Germany.

"Our track record includes the successful completion of our first clinical study (showing superiority of edupression? compared to a sham condition regarding the two clinical endpoints depression severity and literacy), with another underway specifically focusing on therapy-resistant (TRD) patients. Additionally, two real-world studies are on the brink of completion, one of which delves into evaluating the economic advantages of edupression?."

So, why are patients currently receiving the wrong or inadequate therapy?

"Allow me to illustrate with an example from one of our clients – Julia, a 47-year-old kindergarten teacher from Vienna.

"Julia experienced her first depressive episode at the age of 22. When she sought help, she found herself on a waiting list. Upon finally receiving non-evidence-based psychotherapy as a treatment, she didn't respond positively. Subsequently, she was prescribed Escitalopram, an antidepressant. Unfortunately, she stopped taking it prematurely after feeling better, leading to a severe relapse. This represents what we term an unsatisfactory treatment situation, significantly impacting Julia's entire life.

"As a consequence, Julia evolved into a TRD patient – signifying a therapy-resistant patient with an extensive history of various antidepressants, rehabilitation stays, and electro-convulsion therapy. This is what we describe as a combination of 'poor therapy outcome and high costs,' adding to the personal tragedy.

"Consider for a moment if Julia had initially received edupression?: a digital therapy coupled with comprehensive knowledge about her condition. How different might Julia's personality be today?

"This example vividly demonstrates how incorrect or insufficient therapy negatively shapes treatment outcomes, burdens the entire healthcare system, and profoundly influences the fate of a patient."

What role then does technology play in helping those suffering with depression?

"Technology, particularly Digital Therapeutics (DTx), plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals grappling with depression.

"Mental health apps and online resources offer immediate access to therapeutic content, mood tracking, and coping strategies, providing autonomy in managing mental health. Teletherapy through video conferencing transcends geographical barriers, enhancing accessibility to mental health professionals. Innovations like virtual reality therapy and AI-driven interventions offer tailored experiences. Additionally, data analytics contribute insights into mental health trends, informing the development of more effective interventions.

"DTx not only provides self-help tools but also expands access to professional support, fostering innovation in therapeutic approaches and contributing to a more accessible mental health landscape."

Digital phenotyping holds promise in early detection, personalized treatment, and ongoing monitoring of depression.

I know that digital phenotyping is a big part of your offering, can you talk to me about what this is in the context of depression?

"Digital phenotyping refers to the use of data from smartphones and other digital devices to gather information about an individual's behaviour, mental health, and overall well-being. In the context of depression, digital phenotyping involves the continuous monitoring and analysis of various digital signals and patterns to identify potential indicators or "phenotypes" associated with depressive symptoms.

"This approach leverages data such as GPS location, screen activity, social media usage, typing speed, sleep patterns, and more. Analyzing these digital markers over time can help create a digital fingerprint that may indicate changes in mental health. For instance, alterations in sleep patterns, increased social isolation, or changes in communication style might be correlated with depressive episodes.

"Digital phenotyping holds promise in early detection, personalized treatment, and ongoing monitoring of depression. By providing objective and real-time data, it offers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's mental health status. However, it also raises important ethical considerations related to privacy, consent, and data security, which need to be carefully addressed in the development and implementation of digital phenotyping tools for mental health purposes."

How is edupression positioned to not be just another mental health app?

"edupression? stands out from the multitude of mental health apps by virtue of its robust medical foundation and comprehensive approach to addressing mental health. Unlike many other apps, edupression? attempts to optimize the clinical pathway of depression patients based on evidence-based treatment guidelines instead of just offering digital therapy independent of the patient’s depression form. ?The content of edupression? comprises psychoeducation, digital psychotherapy, and measurement-based care as essential pillars of its platform. This multifaceted approach ensures that users receive not only therapeutic content but also educational insights into their mental health.

"One key distinction lies in the depth of coverage. edupression? delves into topics that many other apps may not address at all, providing a more holistic understanding of mental well-being. The platform is particularly tailored to individuals taking antidepressants, offering personalized content to meet their specific needs.

"The emphasis on measurement-based care sets edupression? apart, enabling a more individualized and responsive approach to users' mental health journeys. By continuously adapting and tailoring content based on user responses and progress, edupression? goes beyond being just another mental health app. It becomes a dynamic and personalized resource that reflects a commitment to comprehensive mental health support.

"Unlike many other apps, edupression? attempts to optimize the clinical pathway of depression patients based on evidence-based treatment guidelines instead of just offering digital therapy independent of the patient’s depression form. ?The content of edupression? comprises psychoeducation, digital psychotherapy, and measurement-based care as essential pillars of its platform."

Unlike many other apps, edupression? attempts to optimize the clinical pathway of depression patients based on evidence-based treatment guidelines instead of just offering digital therapy independent of the patient’s depression form.

What process did you go through to position yourself in this unique way?

"Positioning edupression? in its unique way has been a meticulous and comprehensive journey. Over the course of more than three years, the company dedicated significant resources to product development, collaborating with experts across diverse disciplines. This collaborative effort included engagement with physicians, psychologists, communication experts, and UX specialists, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health solutions.

"Crucially, a strategic partnership with the Medical University of Vienna played a pivotal role in the development process. This collaboration facilitated the creation of a 100% guideline-compliant application tailored specifically for unipolar depression and burnout. The involvement of esteemed medical professionals and adherence to established guidelines resulted in the creation of two medical products that surpass existing solutions in terms of depth and efficacy.

"However, this journey was not without its challenges. edupression? faced and successfully navigated various hurdles, encompassing technical, organizational, and financial dimensions. Overcoming these obstacles underscored the company's commitment to delivering a ground-breaking product, reinforcing edupression?'s position as a trailblazer in the field of mental health applications."

What’s in store for edupression in the near future?

"In the coming three months, edupression? has exciting developments on the horizon. The company has just secured permanent authorization for Germany, marking a significant achievement as the first non-German company to do so. This milestone sets the stage for a focused effort on mastering effective sales operations within Germany.

"Building on this foundation, the plan is to strategically expand sales in Germany and concurrently lay the groundwork for market access in France. Simultaneously, edupression? anticipates future authorization of Digital Health Applications (DiGA) in Austria, further broadening its reach.

"To support these ambitious growth plans, edupression? is actively seeking collaboration with potential partners. In a noteworthy shift, the company is also exploring venture capital (VC) partnerships. Historically, edupression? has been self-financed by its founders, operating on a bootstrap model. The move to engage VC partners reflects a new phase of growth and underscores the company's commitment to advancing mental health solutions on a larger scale."

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