Developing an FDA approved therapeutic for ADHD has been one of the most difficult tasks in medicine.

But Boston-based digital therapeutics company Akili Interactive has a unique approach to trying to solve it: video games.

The big idea:

• Akili Interactive (NASDAQ: AKLI) has developed the world’s first FDA approved video game for children with ADHD called EndeavourRx
• Created by neuroscientists and game developers, EndeavourRx targets select parts of the brain that are responsible for attention span
• Through sensory stimulus, the game play challenges kids to multi task and block out distractions
• Akili’s technology tracks the data as each child plays the game and creates customizations in real time

Why it matters:

• Providing a non drug therapy for ADHD is an exciting breakthrough and lowers the risk of side effects
• ADHD, especially in children, is notoriously difficult to treat effectively
• In clinical trials for EndeavourRx there were zero reported serious adverse side effects

Going deeper:

• For children to use EndeavourRx it needs to be prescribed by a doctor
• However, Akili has recently released EndeavourOTC in the United States which is made for adults and can be used without a prescription
• A multi site, 200+ person participant adult trial for EndeavourOTC showed very strong outcomes, with 83% of people experiencing a meaningful change in attention function

By the numbers:

• Akili went public onto the NASDAQ via a SPAC deal which landed them roughly $163M USD in growth capital
• Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital and legendary venture capitalist, was a lead investor in Akili and is currently chairman of the board

The fine print:

• Currently Akili’s technology is only available in the United States
• While EndeavourRx has been authorized by the FDA for use in children, EndeavourOTC has not yet but approved by the FDA for use in adults

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