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Danish healthtech company seeks collaboration for VR-based avatar therapy clinical trials

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TODK20240515013
Term of Validity
15 May 2024 - 15 May 2025
Company's Country
  • Denmark
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
The Danish company is an innovative technology provider specializing in VR-based Avatar Therapy to assist mental health professionals in treating auditory hallucinations. They are conducting research and development for eating disorders, OCD, depression, and other severe mental disorders. The comany is seeking partners to collaborate on clinical trials, EU and international proposals, and commercial projects.
Full Description
Auditory hallucinations significantly impact patients' lives, families, and society. VR-based Avatar Therapy is a novel treatment specifically targeting these hallucinations, which are often a major symptom of schizophrenia. The therapy provides patients with a safe and controlled immersive virtual environment to confront their voices.

Guided by a therapist, patients create a visual and auditory representation of the voices they hear. They then learn to manage their fears and develop strategies to handle these malicious voices. HekaVR's system integrates voice modulation technology to create realistic portrayals, providing a new avenue for patients to understand and cope with their voices.

The company is conducting clinical trials globally, involving hundreds of patients with schizophrenia. They are also investigating the solution's potential for other disorders like Eating Disorders and OCD. Their efforts include leading EU Commission-funded projects and collaborating with research institutions across different regions.
Advantages and Innovations
The solution provides several advantages and innovations:
- Unique combination of VR technology and real-time voice modulation represents a groundbreaking approach to treating auditory hallucinations.
- Offers shorter treatment cycles (9 sessions) compared to conventional methods (20 sessions) while improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
- Developed in partnership with leading researchers, the therapy improves patients' quality of life and involves caregivers in the treatment process.
Stage of Development
  • Already on the market
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
IPR description
The company is actively seeking expertise in clinical psychology and psychiatry, specifically in managing and treating auditory hallucinations and related severe mental health conditions. They are interested in collaborating with clinical partners who have experience with Virtual Reality (VR) treatments or are willing to integrate VR-based therapies into their practice.

Expertise in real-time voice modulation and familiarity with Avatar Therapy would be advantageous. The desired partners should be capable of conducting rigorous clinical trials, providing insights into the efficacy of the VR-based therapy across diverse patient groups, and exploring its application in treating other mental health disorders. Additionally, partners with connections to healthcare providers, governmental health agencies, insurance companies, and medical societies are sought to facilitate broader implementation and acceptance of this innovative therapy approach.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The Danish company seeks clinical partners specializing in treating auditory hallucinations or self-critical thoughts. They are particularly interested in partners exploring new disease areas or testing the software with psychotic patients. Additionally, partners in healthcare markets like government health agencies, insurance companies, and advocacy organizations are desired to help expand the therapy's reach.
Type and Size of Partner
  • Other
  • R&D Institution
  • University
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 01004001 - Applications for Health
  • 06005003 - Health information management
Market keywords
  • 02007012 - Medical/health software
Targeted countries
  • All countries