Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Prayat Shah, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Wellthy Therapeutics, one of our valued partners in the Ferrer4Future program. In this interview, we aim to showcase the collaborative essence of our partnership model through Prayat’s insights. We will explore their journey with the program and delve into the co-development of PAHcare, the innovative digital solution for patients suffering from PAH.
Hello, Prayat. Thank you for joining us for a conversation about your experience with the Ferrer4Future program. We’re excited to delve into your journey with the program.
- From your experience, how does the Ferrer4Future program differ from traditional venture funding models, and what advantages did it bring to you?
To us, F4F was never about venture funding. When we applied for F4F, we saw the opportunity to solve a complex problem in a life-threatening condition – pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by combining our expertise in building digital health & therapeutics products with Ferrer’s incredible knowledge of PAH, its management & protocols. Together we have built a product that has been, and continues to be, used by patients for more than 2 years now. In the process, we have also learned so much about working deeply with pharmaceutical companies, the Spanish & European markets and regulatory processes. Ferrer’s willingness to co-develop a product and launch this in the market, rather than just provide funding has been the most valuable aspect of the F4F program to us.
- What specific resources and support did you receive from the Ferrer4Future program in the development and validation of PAHcare?
When we teamed up with Ferrer, we were able to bring together complementary skill sets. On our end, we had the tech chops—over the years we had deployed digital health solutions in multiple countries and therapy areas that weren’t just smart, but also deeply engaging for users. We also had an extensive portfolio of products in cardiology & pulmonology. Yet, each therapeutic area is different, & especially such a complex and rare condition as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), therefore, partnering with Ferrer seriously accelerated our learning curve.
- Clinical Expertise in PAH: Deep clinical insights into PAH including treatment pathways, clinical protocols & algorithms
- Local Market Knowledge: Understand specific pain points faced by HCPs & patients in Spain and the preferred care plans used by HCPs in Spain
- Patient Journey Insights: A baseline understanding of gaps in the patient journey, how these gaps were being plugged
- Regulatory Navigation: What regulatory approvals to apply for and navigating the transition from EU MDD to MDR
- Evidence generation: Starting with a bench study and then moving on to a PMCF study to demonstrate usage & effectiveness of the solution The collaboration wasn’t just about pooling resources—it was about creating a solution that genuinely benefited the PAH community. With Ferrer’s industry know-how and our digital expertise, we crafted something special.
- What lessons or insights have been gained from this partnership that could be of great value for future endeavors?
Through our collaboration, we’ve learned several insights that will undoubtedly shape our approach to future projects, especially in tackling conditions as challenging as PAH. Here’s what stood out:
- Embracing the differences between digital health companies & pharma companies: As mentioned earlier, each comes with their own expertise, wholly embracing that both sides have different methods of operation, strengths & weaknesses will enable closer collaboration and higher probability of success.
- Focus on the patient: Above everything, our efforts circle back to one goal: making life better for patients. PAH’s severity and its effects on quality of life constantly remind us that our work’s true measure is in the tangible improvements in patient well-being.
- Staying Agile: One of the biggest takeaways was the value of adaptability. In the realm of digital health, just like in patient care, flexibility can make all the difference. Being ready to pivot based on real-world insights ensures our solutions remain relevant and effective.
- From your experience, what would you say are the challenges of collaborating with a pharmaceutical company?
When two organizations come together, there are always teething issues and challenges, and our experiences with pharma companies are no different. Some of the challenges we have are –
- Finding common ground on value creation – While improving the lives of patients is a common goal for us with pharma companies, at the same time it’s critical to identify a strong business case for all sides early on. Lack of clarity on the business case increases project risk in subsequent years.
- Digital health products are not pharma products – This impacts many things, upfront investment in development, evaluation & go to market. Unlike pharma products, digital health products must be iteratively built, taking real world learnings from HCPs & patients, therefore, the sooner products are tested, the better. Also given the unique nature of the products, go-to-market is rarely the same.
- Building for user experiences vs. building features – A lot is possible with tech products, therefore very often, it is tempting to build out as many features as possible, because it gives the user the luxury of choice. However, in reality it’s always better to be judicious with the product roadmap, keep in mind user preferences & experience in order to optimize for engagement.
- Where is Wellthy heading and what are its future plans?
We are on an exciting trajectory, especially following our recent acquisition by TruDoc Healthcare. This partnership marks a significant leap forward in digital healthcare, not just for us but for patients across the globe. Our merger with TruDoc is about more than just combining forces; it’s about redefining what remote primary care and telemedicine can achieve. We believe that primary care should be virtual first, at home second and in person last. By combining our respective capabilities, we provide full stack virtual primary care to patients all over the world while maintaining the highest quality standards. At the same time, we are able to solve one of the biggest challenges in healthcare globally today – escalating healthcare costs. Our combined goal is to positively impact the lives of 10 million people by the end of 2026.
Now, let’s shift our focus to discuss the digital solution that we collaboratively developed, PAHcare:
- How does PAHcare address the specific needs of patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)?
PAHcare is designed specifically for the unique challenges faced by those with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The platform provides essential knowledge and tools for managing symptoms and medications efficiently. It features trackers for critical health metrics such as activity levels, hydration, and mood, encouraging patients to actively engage with their healthcare providers, set achievable goals, and keep their care team updated on their journey. The overarching goal is to significantly improve the overall health and QoL of PAH patients.
- What was the motivation behind developing PAHcare, and how does it align with Wellthy Therapeutics’ mission?
The motivation behind developing PAHcare was recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive digital tools for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), beyond medications. Crucially, the addition of human health coach support for patients and caregivers has been a pivotal success factor, providing timely mentorship, education and guidance. This approach enhances patient care significantly, aligning with our mission to improve health outcomes with digital solutions.
- How does PAHcare enhance patient empowerment and autonomy in managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and why was Wellthy the appropriate partner for that?
At Wellthy Therapeutics, we have always been driven to make digital health solutions that are not just smart but also easy for everyone to use. With this platform, we wanted to create something that truly puts patients at the forefront, helping them manage their health better with technology they can trust. It was a natural progression for us, really, given our background and commitment to enhancing health outcomes with innovative tech.PAHcare is all about giving individuals access to the health information they need, tailored just for them, so they can make decisions about their self-care journey. We have packed it with features that keep track of how they’re doing and alert them to any changes they need to watch out for. This proactive approach is what we believe in—empowering patients to take an active role in their health, armed with the right tools and knowledge.
- In what ways does the PAHcare platform contribute to Ferrer’s pharmacovigilance efforts, particularly regarding adverse event reporting and monitoring?
PAHcare significantly bolsters Ferrer’s pharmacovigilance efforts by enabling real-time tracking of patient-reported outcomes and symptoms indicative of adverse events. It’s advanced data capture and analysis capabilities provide insights, aiding in the prompt identification and communication of potential issues. This enhances patient safety and supports Ferrer’s dedication to delivering safe, effective therapies.
- What mechanisms are in place within PAHcare to ensure patient privacy and data security while still enabling effective communication and collaboration?
Ensuring patient privacy and data security is paramount at Wellthy Therapeutics. PAHcare is built with state-of-the-art security measures compliant with global data protection regulations, including GDPR and HIPAA. Data encryption, secure data storage, and strict access controls are employed to protect patient information. The platform is designed to facilitate secure communication between patients and their health coaches without compromising privacy. By prioritizing these aspects, PAHcare ensures that patients can confidently engage with the platform and share necessary health information to support their care journey.
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with us. We look forward to continuing to nurture our partnership.
If Prayat’s insights inspired you or triggered any further curiosity or questions on how we can collaborate, reach out to us!