Blue Note Therapeutics Partnering with Patient Advocacy Groups to Provide Digital Cancer-Related Mental Health Care During Pandemic
|
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly all cancer patients face fear, anxiety, and uncertainty following diagnosis and treatment. Cancer-related distress can impact a patient's emotional and physical well-being, which for many has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded by a team of biotech veterans, Blue Note Therapeutics, Inc., is leveraging deep scientific and clinical expertise, neuroscience, and digital innovation to make mental health care available to any cancer patient at any time. In 2020, the company launched COVID Cancer Care, a digital program intended to help adults with cancer cope with stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working closely with leading cancer centers, community oncology clinics, and teams of patients, Blue Note is developing clinically validated prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) to help reduce anxiety, depression, and other forms of cancer-related distress. COVID Cancer Care is a stress management program which uses cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation therapy. Since launch, nearly 12,000 people across the United States have accessed the program, which is currently available through more than 20 nonprofit and advocacy organizations, including Cancer Support Community. "One of our main priorities this year is serving as the go-to resource for cancer patients and their caregivers navigating the logistical and emotional complexities created by the pandemic," said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of Cancer Support Community, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. "As the demand for our services continues to increase, the collaboration with Blue Note Therapeutics' COVID Cancer Care program has been so valuable in helping to meet specific and immediate mental health needs of the community during this challenging time." The COVID Cancer Care program is a preview of the company's lead PDT candidate, BNT001, which received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2020 for the treatment of symptoms of anxiety and depression related to cancer in adult patients. Blue Note previously entered into a licensing agreement with the University of Miami to develop and commercialize BNT001. "Almost everyone with cancer experiences some form of psychological distress, and whether it's anxiety, depression, or other symptoms, it can be harmful to the patient's mental and physical health and impact their treatment progression," said Geoffrey Eich, CEO of Blue Note Therapeutics. "FDA-approved digital therapeutics have the potential to play a key role in reducing cancer-related distress. Blue Note Therapeutics is committed to working through our strategic partnerships to advance innovation and bring cancer patients novel digital therapeutics specifically designed to address mental health." Blue Note also entered into several additional licensing agreements with other leading cancer centers and universities to provide clinically validated interventions for Blue Note's product pipeline. For more details, visit www.bluenotetx.com. BNT001 is not approved by the FDA for any indication. Early access to the COVID Cancer Care program was made possible under the FDA's enforcement policy for digital health devices for treating psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 public health emergency which was announced in April 2020. About Cancer-Related Distress About Blue Note Therapeutics Media Contact 1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2020/cancer-facts-and-figures-2020.pdf.
SOURCE Blue Note Therapeutics, Inc. |
View original content: