Orexo, a renowned Sweden based pharmaceutical company, has reportedly announced that it acquired the exclusive rights to commercialize GAIA AG’s digital therapy solution, deprexis®, in the U.S. Deprexis is a digital treatment platform to help individuals manage the symptoms of depression. The platform is also among the most researched digital treatments across the globe.

The acquisition of the commercialization rights by Orexo follows two previous deals with GAIA in which Orexo procured the exclusive US rights for vorvida®, and OXD01. Vorvida is scientifically proven to decrease risky drinking patterns among adults having AUD (alcohol use disorder). Meanwhile, OXD01 is a novel digital treatment that is currently being developed to treat OUD (opioid use disorder).

The demand for digital therapies owing to the COVID-19 crisis is rapidly increasing. The COVID-19 crisis, along with the steps that are being taken to restrict its spread, is projected to cause a tremendous rise in cases of mental illnesses like substance abuse and depression.

 Orexo is well-positioned to be at the forefront of addressing this rise in mental illnesses by providing digital therapies that boast of efficacy that is scientifically proven, allowing patients to get help while subsequently adhering to social distancing practices.

The emergency use authorization policy unveiled recently by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to address Psychiatric disorders through digital health devices would enable the company to expedite the launch of these three treatments in 2020 to effectively help society tackle some of the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

As per the terms of the agreement, GAIA would receive an upfront payment and would also get royalties on the basis of net sales starting for January 1, 2022. Deprexis is already FDA classified and the company expects to rollout deprexis® across the United States in the summer of 2020.   

Source credit: https://orexo.com/media/regulatory-press-releases?releaseId=9CC5F2D2BF210584