Bayer taps into Mahana to market consumer digital therapeutics

Bayer's consumer health division is continuing its push into digital precision health products via "a multi-million-dollar" distribution and marketing tie-up with Mahana Therapeutics. Bayer launched a new business unit in May focused on digital solutions, having previously partnered with Ada Health and Huma.

The new deal announced Tuesday will see Bayer team up this time with Mahana, which is focused on developing prescription digital therapeutics for patients with chronic conditions. Its first product, Mahana IBS, was cleared in the US in 2020 to reduce the severity of symptoms in adults with all types of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The product, which provides cognitive behavioural therapy to influence gut-brain communication, was authorised the following year in the EU, where it is known as Parallel.

"Digital therapeutics are a perfect addition to our portfolio of care and tap into new tech-savvy consumers looking for drug-free treatments as well as help eliminate gaps in care provision," remarked David Evendon-Challis, chief scientific officer of Bayer's consumer health division.

Speaking to FirstWord earlier this year, Aquil Harjivan, head of digital health R&D at Bayer, indicated that the company would continue to pursue collaborations in the consumer digital health space. "We know we can't win alone, so purposeful partnerships form a critical pillar within our strategy," Harjivan said, adding that along with the Ada Health and Huma projects "we are establishing a few others across the spectrum in both digital and physical diagnostics, as well as digital therapeutics."

For related analysis, read Spotlight On: Why Bayer's spoilt for choice for consumer precision health partners.