Bioingestible Sensors

The idea of using sensors to track adherence isn’t necessarily new, but the technology has only recently really come into its own in the past few years. It was only in 2017 that we saw the first drug with a built in sensor approved by the FDA. At this time, there are only two bioingestible sensor companies tracking medication adherence (to my knowledge at least) on the market at this time. The following profiles highlight which therapeutic areas the companies are concentrated on, and how their platforms work overall. At this time, most of these companies are using their technology for research (with capsule-enabled sensors that can contain a study drug) or trying to embed the sensor into a tablet/pill for mass consumer use. The therapeutic areas of target include specialty drugs primarily at this time - in no doubt due to likelihood of being covered by payers or other agencies.

 
 
Logo Not Provided-logo-black.png

Proteus Digital Health

Probably best known now for teaming up with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and bringing the first sensor enabled drug to market (Abilify MYCITE).

Research Data:

  • The company lists a number of studies they have published on their website.

  • ClinicalTrials.gov has several studies listing what Proteus is currently investigating and JAMA has some news related to the subject as well.

 
Logo Not Provided-logo-black.png

EtectRx

Using their ID-Cap system to encapsulate an active drug, the cap when ingested dissolves and sends a ping to a reader that the patient wears to track their adherence. The reader is a device worn like a lanyard over the neck, and hangs over the abdomen by the patient. Overall, etectRx seems geared more towards a research niche at this time.

Research Data:

  • The company does not list its studies, but Pubmed has several listed under their etectRx and those conducted by Dr. Peter Chai using the EtectRx/bio platform.

  • ClinicalTrials.gov has several studies related to their ID-CAP system.