Staying ahead with technology
As patents expire, firms are faced with new challenges to remain competitive. Otsuka chose to redefine the digital experience for their patients.
Generic “Abilify” (Aripiprazole) produced by competitors after patent expiration
Problem
Otsuka is the producer of the medicine Abilify, which is one of the most widely used treatments for patients in managing bipolar and schizophrenia disorders.
As Otuska’s patent expiration date approached, they faced competition from generic producers and needed to innovate to maintain their presence in the market.
The Proteus Patch, pill, and circuitry technology
Approach
Otsuka made a bold decision to partner with Proteus Digital Health in order to produce a digital solution to help patients improve medication adherence, track their well-being, and provide clinicians and caregivers with powerful tools to support decision making to improve patient quality of life.
This strategy, embedding a circuit in the medication, working in conjunction with a specialized patch and software, required a radical new approach to software design and development and close coordination with the FDA to define a new standard for acceptance of a mobile application as a class ii medical device.
Abilify MyCite, Proteus Patch, and the mobile application
Results
On November 13th, 2017 the FDA “approved the first drug in the U.S. with a digital ingestion tracking system.” This milestone represents the creation of the world’s first digital medicine; a closely paired technology solution to improve the effectiveness of treatment and improve the quality of life for patients.
This groundbreaking project established a new standard for how technology and medicine can be combined in meaningful ways to enrich our lives.