Pharma-focused digital health accelerator PharmStars completes its inaugural program

PharmStars, a digital health accelerator focused on forging relationships between digital health companies and the life science world, has announced the culmination of its first 10-week program focused on clinical trial innovation. 

Founded by digital health vet Naomi Fried and pharmaceutical exec Laura Gunn in 2021, the program is focused on educating health tech companies and pharma on working together. The accelerator had three components: classes and workshops, mentorships and “executive ed for pharma.” 

The first cohort included 12 digital health startups and involved six life science members, including Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Sumitovant Biopharma and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. 

The accelerator plans to accept two new cohorts in 2022. 

The twelve companies in the accelerator include: 

• ​​Droice Labs, an artificial intelligence-backed startup that helps integrate real-world data from EHRs and other patient data sources. It can also work with clinicians to help present clinically relevant data about each patient.

• EVOCAL Health is a German startup that uses digital biomarkers and AI as a predictive diagnosis tool. The company’s AI and machine learning is being developed to employ vocal biomarkers like voice, breathing and coughing to detect disease.

• Liyfe developed a “digital nurse” chatbot that can help assess symptoms and predict complications for cancer patients. The tool is designed to help gather real world oncology data.

• Longenesis is an Estonian company designed to help match patients to clinical trials and help them enroll. 

• U.K.-based Neucruit developed a software tool focused on recruiting patients for clinical trials. The tool is also designed to help engage the patients enrolled in the trial. 

• Nori Health is a startup that developed a digital tool to help patients manage Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and collect real-world data. 

• nQ Medical is a Cambridge, Mass.-based startup focused on collecting passive digital biomarkers to help detect cognitive and motor disorders. 

• Seascape Clinical helps manage a clinical trial’s administrative burden. It is able to consolidate data, automate workflows, cut down on repetitive manual tasks and help teams collaborate. 

• SmartTabs is a Denver-based startup that includes an ingestible drug delivery platform. 

• Tag.bio is an analytics platform that is focused on gathering data from multiple sources in order to help accelerate drug development. 

• The Clinician is a remote-monitoring system that is able to manage patient-generated data and digitally monitor clinical-trial participants. The company is focused on decentralized clinical trials.