Last checked at 1 Mar 2016 07:00
1 March 2016
Cambridge Cognition Holdings Plc
('Cambridge Cognition' or the 'Company')
UK companies Cambridge Cognition and Ctrl Group partner to develop first wearables for real-time cognitive health monitoring
Cambridge Cognition Holdings plc, (AIM: COG), which specialises in cognitive assessment technologies including those enabling the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, announces a new partnership with London based design and research agency Ctrl Group to produce novel digital health applications for new markets with prototype products expected in the second half of 2016.
Mental ill health is the world's largest cause of disability and economic loss. In the UK alone, one in four adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem each year1. With an estimated half a billion people affected worldwide, the cost to global economies is on course to exceed $6 trillion per annum by 20302.
Common mental health disorders such as dementia, depression and anxiety are characterised by symptoms that can fluctuate regularly, which until now has created difficulties for researchers and healthcare professionals as infrequent assessments in controlled settings are unable to reflect a patient's health between visits and in everyday life.
By engaging with individuals through wearable and smart devices the new technology being developed will provide a richer and more natural profile of mental health to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders; helping people to lead fuller, more active lives and dramatically reduce global healthcare costs.
Under the terms of the partnership, digital health products are being designed and developed enabling near-user cognitive testing on wearable and smart devices. More meaningful cognitive data will enable healthcare practitioners to detect mental health risk factors earlier, reduce the likelihood of relapse and, by tracking daily activity, help individuals to better understand and manage their cognitive health in a way that products such as Fitbit® have for physical health. For pharmaceutical companies, understanding the real world impact of interventions will support clinical trials of drug development candidates and marketed treatments for chronic diseases.
The new range of products will be licensed initially to pharmaceutical partners and healthcare providers through relationships established by both Cambridge Cognition and Ctrl Group.
Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Cognition, Dr Steven Powell commented: "We are excited to be advancing our healthcare technologies into new products with partners who have synergistic technical skills to meet the growing needs of our pharmaceutical customers and address large non-clinical markets. The move to near-user cognitive measures on consumer electronics marks a significant step for Cambridge Cognition in realising the Company's aim to become the world leader in cognitive healthcare technologies."
Co-founder of Ctrl Group, Ben Fehnert added: "We see a huge advantage in being able to understand cognition in daily life through wearable and smart technologies and Ctrl Group are delighted to be working with Cambridge Cognition to make this happen."
1 The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report, 2001. London: ONS.
2 World Health Organization. Global status report on non-communicable diseases, 2010. Geneva: WHO.
Fitbit® is a registered trademark of Fitbit Inc. All rights reserved.
Enquiries:
Cambridge Cognition Holdings plc | www.cambridgecognition.com |
Steven Powell, Chief Executive Officer Nick Walters, Chief Financial Officer | Tel: 01223 810 700 press@camcog.com |
finnCap Ltd (Nomad and Broker) | Tel: 020 7220 0500 |
Geoff Nash | (Corporate Finance) |
Malar Velaigam | (Corporate Broking) |
About Cambridge Cognition
Cambridge Cognition is a world leading provider of cognitive assessment technology, detecting the earliest signs of cognitive impairment faster, more accurately and at substantially lower cost than other methods. The company's CANTAB™ products are validated by over 1,600 peer-reviewed publications, used for over 30 years in academic research to improve the understanding and diagnosis of cognitive disorders and in pharmaceutical development to accelerate the development of safe and effective drug treatments. In addition, the company now develops and licenses digital health products to monitor and maximise mental health and wellbeing throughout life. For further information, visit www.cambridgecognition.com.
About Ctrl Group
New technologies have the potential to transform healthcare and medical research by increasing efficiency and creating more personalised medicine. Ctrl Group is a team of designers, researchers, software developers and healthcare experts who work internationally with healthcare companies and providers who want to use new technology to improve people's health. We create products and services that are effective, engaging and safe. For further information, visit www.ctrl-group.com.