Innovation and technology in the future of therapies and medications

by Tarek Milla and Patricia Domínguez, February 14, 2024

Innovation and technology are providing numerous advances in the development of therapies and medications, enabling an evolution toward more sophisticated and precise treatments. Examples include new immunological and genetic therapies, and the improvement of those already existing, all in the search for greater effectiveness with fewer secondary effects. Along these lines, “the pharmaceutical industry is investing more than 132 million euros every year in research and development (R&D) of new medications,” according to Farmaindustria, demonstrating the dedication and commitment of these companies to promoting meaningful advances in healthcare.

From improvements in R&D, to the creation of “intelligent” treatments and Digital Therapeutics (DTx), the use of technology and innovation is opening up a spectrum of possibilities that will continue to develop exponentially over the next few years, with the final effect of improving clinical results and patient health outcomes.

First, the application of innovation through technology is helping to develop treatments that are more precise, effective, and with fewer secondary effects, as noted by Farmaindustria. This is possible thanks to advances in biomedicine, like genomics, favoring the development of therapies adapted to the genetic peculiarities of the individual, as well as the use of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence which, used prior to actual experiments, could help to prevent possible secondary effects, reducing the percentage of failures in clinical trials, accelerating the investigation, and reducing the costs. All of this permits the creation of new generations of medications that are safer and more effective, supporting new responses to already existing needs.

Another illustration of these types of therapies that are providing new solutions thanks to innovation, is “Smart Pills,” that have the potential to become a potent clinical tool for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, with gastrointestinal diseases as an example, by facilitating early diagnosis, greater precision in the administration of pharmaceuticals, improvement in adherence, etc. This is also the case with the “drug-device combinations,” some of which have already been approved by the FDA, and consist of intelligent tools that help to control therapeutic compliance, improving appropriate follow-up of the patient and his or her medication.

Finally, technology and innovation in healthcare are facilitating the evolution toward Digital Therapeutics (DTx). These interventions use digital platforms that have been clinically evaluated in order to offer precise and personalized treatments. From the prevention, management and/or treatment of chronic diseases, DTx like the ones that we are developing at Persei vivarium offer innovative solutions that are adapted to the needs of the patients. They go one step further to become digital treatments that support the healthcare workforce, encouraging care that is more efficient and improving health outcomes for the patient.

In this way, we can see that all these treatments and therapies, that only a few years ago would have been considered futuristic, are becoming possible right now thanks to the use of technological advances that are contributing to the implementation of more personalized and efficient medical care. The goal is to provide more advanced solutions that improve that patient’s health, quality of life, and overall experience, and are also sustainable over the long term, optimizing the healthcare system as a whole.

#Innovation #MedTech #DigitalHealth #DigitalTherapeutics #DTx