Takeda is exploring the potential of ‘digital biomarkers’ to help develop new mental health treatments, with a particular focus on schizophrenia and treatment-resistant depression.

The firm is collaborating with Mindstrong Health, whose digital phenotyping platform continuously measures brain function from passively collected smartphone data.

Emiliangelo Ratti, head of Takeda’s Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit, said: "Mental health disorders are complex, multifaceted conditions, and drug development in this area of unmet need is slow to progress.

"This partnership with Mindstrong Health exemplifies Takeda's motivation to engage in digital technologies to improve the clinical assessment of patients with mental health conditions who lack adequate treatment options."

Dr Paul Dagum, founder and CEO of Mindstrong Health, added: "Takeda shares our goal of using innovative technology to gain insights that will improve outcomes for people living with mental health conditions.

"We are pleased to partner with them to implement digital technology in the clinical development of novel assets and, hopefully, allow for faster delivery of meaningful therapies to patients."

The companies hope that by joining forces they will be able to develop novel therapeutic interventions by applying digital biomarkers to stratify mental health conditions and predict remission.

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