Under the new agreement, Biogen will transfer ownership of certain digital health solutions to Aptar Digital Health, including two existing mobile applications that provide lifestyle support to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Under the partnership, Aptar, part of AptarGroup, will be responsible for product design and management, as well as software application development and maintenance, cloud hosting, and customer and marketing support.
As part of a multi-year corporate agreement, the companies will collaborate to develop and commercialize new digital support solutions in selected countries that also help manage spinal muscular atrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, and systemic lupus erythematosus. I'm also planning on doing that.
“We are excited to leverage our end-to-end capabilities to support Biogen and help patients and their care teams benefit from advanced digital solutions to improve disease management.” , Pierre Roulin, president of Aptar, said in the company's press release.
“This new agreement significantly expands Aptar Digital Health's activities in two strategic therapeutic areas: neurology and immunology. We look forward to an exciting collaboration between both groups in the coming years.” added Roulin.
Lifestyle companion app provides information and tools to manage MS
One of the so-called companion apps for MS (known as Aby in the US and Canada and Cleo in Europe) was one of the first Biogen digital solutions to transition to Aptar operation. The Aby/Cleo Lifestyle Support app is used in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America and provides MS patients with his 24-hour support, regardless of their treatment plan.
This app includes up-to-date disease information, symptom tracking, treatment reminders, and tips for a better daily life with progressive neurodegenerative disorders. The app also offers customized self-care programs on topics such as fatigue, emotional management, diet, and exercise, as well as answers to general lifestyle questions.
People with MS, as well as caregivers, advocacy groups, and even medical professionals, often want an easy way to get education and other support in one place. Biogen developed this companion app to address this issue with input from his more than 100 patients across multiple countries.
The app typically displays a number of requests from participants and responses tailored to their culture and native language. The purpose of this app is to provide up-to-date information about living with multiple sclerosis.
Patients also asked for a diary to track symptoms, mood and activity in real time, according to Biogen. Currently available trackers can also create downloadable reports about doctor visits.
Patients wanted a health and wellness program, so the app includes exercises and activities that can be customized to three intensity levels. Finally, the patient also wanted and got a way to ask general questions about her MS through Text Her Messages. The company says patient data is protected and will not be sold.
Another app moving to Aptar as well is Physio.me, a digital exercise companion for people with MS and other neuromuscular diseases. This digital exercise tool from Biogen provides a customized remote activity plan for people with neuromuscular conditions. Users can track their progress and share it with their medical team, helping them “increase their chances of achieving their physical goals,” according to the release.
Aptar Pharma President Gael Toya said the company looks forward to partnering with Biogen on these and other lifestyle apps.
“Biogen is a recognized leader in the pharmaceutical industry, having been at the forefront of digital health in neuroscience over the past several years,” Toya said. “This flagship collaboration expands Aptar's role as the pharmaceutical industry's go-to partner, offering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, services and digital devices that help improve the lives of patients around the world.” This is a great example.”
