Intro: PursueCare has relaunched RESET and RESET-O, the only FDA-authorized prescription digital therapeutics for substance use and opioid use disorders, following its acquisition of these assets from the bankrupt Pear Therapeutics.

Why it’s notable:

• PursueCare, a leading provider of virtual addiction treatment, has announced the launch of RESET and RESET-O, the only FDA-authorized prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) for substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). These app-based therapies offer a self-guided 12-week course of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), encouraging patients to complete lessons, stay committed to treatment, and maintain sobriety. 

• RESET and RESET-O were initially developed and introduced by Pear Therapeutics, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. PursueCare acquired these digital therapeutics in December after Pear's assets were auctioned off. Pear Therapeutics, a pioneer in the digital therapeutics space, brought the first PDT to market in 2017. Despite securing FDA clearance and providing strong clinical evidence, Pear faced significant challenges due to the lack of medical codes, which led to payers not reimbursing their products, ultimately contributing to the company's downfall.

POV: The relaunch ensures clinically validated technologies remain available while encouraging the healthcare industry to adopt new business models to support the long-term viability of digital therapeutics.

• PursueCare’s virtual clinic provides telehealth treatment for opioids, alcohol, stimulants, and other substances through a multidisciplinary team. Treatment includes MOUD (medication-assisted treatment), counseling, psychiatry, case management, and care for conditions like Hepatitis C, delivered via a smartphone app. The company will leverage the PDTs in conjunction with its comprehensive virtual treatment offering, specifically focusing on value-based care arrangements with health plans. Additionally, PursueCare is establishing programs with partnering clinics to enable delivery of RESET and RESET-O to their patients.

• PursueCare's acquisition and relaunch of RESET and RESET-O, reflect a growing trend of consolidation among digital health companies post pandemic. Specifically telehealth and virtual care companies are looking to set themselves apart, leveraging technologies to make care more accessible and more embedded into the healthcare journey.  Meanwhile, clinically validated technologies remain available while encouraging the healthcare industry to adopt new business models to support the long-term viability of digital therapeutics.

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