PrecisionBio Hosts 'Chronic Disease Digital Therapeutics Symposium'
Plans to Develop DTx Targeting Chronic Diseases Including Chronic Kidney Disease
Seeks Synergy with Existing Diagnostic Business
Calls for Inclusion of Stakeholders to Advance DTx
Patients, Caregivers, and Physicians All Must Be Considered
On the afternoon of the 3rd, participants are engaged in a discussion at the 'Chronic Disease DTx Symposium' held at Sono Felice Convention in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Lee Chunhee
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the proportion of the elderly population aged 65 and over is predicted to exceed 20% by 2025, entering a super-aged society, the importance of managing chronic diseases due to aging is emerging. In response, a forum was held to discuss the possibility of applying digital therapeutics (DTx), which have recently been rapidly integrated into the medical industry, to chronic diseases.
At the 'Chronic Disease DTx Symposium' held on the afternoon of the 3rd at Sono Felice Convention in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, various discussions related to this topic took place. Precision Bio, the organizer of the event, recently declared its business expansion from a traditional diagnostic company to DTx. CEO Kim Han-shin stated, "Since COVID-19, 'digital transformation' has progressed in the healthcare sector, and the need for chronic disease management through DTx, which allows medication and dietary management in daily life, has increased," adding, "We will develop DTx by combining our diagnostic capabilities in kidney, liver, cardiovascular, and other areas."
Precision Bio's primary focus is chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD has a prevalence rate of 22% among the domestic population aged 65 and over, but most patients visit hospitals only after the disease has become severe due to the absence of early symptoms. Because patients seek medical care only at the terminal stage, medical costs surge, with the U.S. standard cost per patient reportedly reaching 130 million KRW.
Ryu Hyun-jin, a nephrology specialist and executive director at Mint Venture Partners, explained, "There is no curative treatment for CKD, and personalized management is required for different underlying diseases, risk factors, and complications for each patient," adding, "The importance of DTx in the management process will increase." He also noted, "CKD is a disease where integrated management is crucial, as 20% of patients suffer from major depressive disorder," emphasizing the need for research on how to manage CKD effectively.
Son Seung-wan, Executive Vice President and Head of Strategic Marketing at Precision Bio, responsible for DTx business development, explained the choice of chronic disease DTx by saying, "Because it is a lifestyle disease," and added, "From the perspective of optimizing the healthcare delivery system, chronic disease DTx is needed as a tool that can 'nag anytime'." Regarding the relationship with their existing diagnostic business, he described it as "coexistence of diagnostics and DTx," envisioning a virtuous cycle where DTx development activates diagnostics and diagnostics enhance the efficacy of DTx.
However, in terms of essential biomarker measurement for chronic disease management, self-diagnostic devices like blood glucose meters for diabetes have not yet been developed for CKD. Regarding this, Lee Kang-won, CEO of The Doni and professor of Applied Bioengineering at Seoul National University, proposed the self-potassium meter 'Gnosis-K,' which his company is developing to monitor blood potassium levels essential for CKD patients without hospital visits, as a solution. Lee stated, "Our analysis of patients' whole blood shows no significant difference in accuracy compared to existing clinical automated analyzers and point-of-care testing (POCT)," and added, "We plan to conduct clinical trials soon."
During the event, analysis continued on what aspects should be focused on during the DTx development process. Participants suggested that research and development (R&D) and institutionalization should consider various stakeholders, including patients and doctors, in the development of the DTx industry.
Choi Doo-ah, CEO of Hure Positive, emphasized, "In digital healthcare, the payer, the person who induces payment, and the actual user of the service are all different," adding, "It is necessary to fit all three keyholes of public insurance, private insurance, doctors, and patients." She also highlighted the importance of service know-how in patient management, saying, "It is important to design a structure that treats patients as customers," and mentioned, "We are considering structures that increase adherence by having not only patients but also caregivers such as parents use DTx together."
Kim Kyung-chul, a practicing physician and director of Wellcare Clinic, advised that "many focus on patients as consumers, but the primary consumers in healthcare are ultimately doctors," emphasizing the necessity of involving doctors as stakeholders in the commercialization process of DTx. He stressed, "If it does not help with management beyond assisting treatment, doctors are reluctant to adopt it," and added, "It is necessary to present business models (BM) that help doctors manage follow-up patients who face difficulties or generate revenue through other linked businesses."
Lee Hae-sung, head of KT Digital Health P-TF, emphasized the importance of the DTx platform. He explained that there are differences between the existing new drug development process and the DTx development process, and that unmet needs can be addressed through the platform. As an IT company, KT intends to assist in building the DTx platform. He said, "During development, digital technology will be developed simultaneously, and when regulations are relaxed, especially since DTx is suitable for non-face-to-face clinical trials, these will be conducted, and later in the commercialization process, we can also participate in the B2C sector."
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