Akili Interactive Labs, a Boston-based business that’s developed an interactive digital therapeutics interface for neurological conditions such as ADHD and Parkinson’s disease, has tapped the pharma industry and gaming world for a new batch of executives as the company moves Project: EVO closer to commercialization.
Led by CEO and cofounder Eddie Martucci, Akili has a pediatric digital therapeutic for ADHD in Phase 3 clinical trials that’s intended to be prescribed similar to other types of medication.
Former Cubist Pharmaceuticals veteran Rob Perez will serve as executive chairman at Akili, which is a subsidiary of Pure Tech Health. Perez had previously worked as a commercial adviser at Akili for the past year, a news release said. Cubist — a leader in the antibiotics field — was acquired by Merck in a deal worth $9.5 billion.
In addition to Perez, Glenn Entis, a former DreamWorks Interactive CEO, and former Google Chief Game Designer Noah Falstein will serve as executive advisers. They will work with management and product design teams to advance the quality of engagement for Akili, according to a news release.
“As the company begins to hone its business model and commercial approach, Rob will be working with management as we finalize our commercial strategy and company growth toward initiating a new business model in medicine,” a spokeswoman said in response to emailed questions.
Akili’s hires speak to the convergence between the technology companies moving into healthcare and digital health companies supplementing their products with technology professionals, who often have a background in gaming or animation software. Joslin Diabetes Center experts, for example, created the Healthimation animation studio to support diabetes prevention programs. Seavey Bowdoin, the COO, worked at Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment for eight years. Breakaway Games in Maryland developed interactive training games for the Department of Defense before expanding into healthcare simulation technology.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
