Driving Innovation in Mental Health Technology Through Small Business Programs
As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) celebrates its 75th anniversary, it’s an opportune time to highlight the vital role small businesses play in advancing mental health research and treatment. This article, guest-written by NIMH’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, explores how these programs are fostering groundbreaking advancements.
Small businesses are often at the forefront of developing new technologies that propel mental health research forward. NIMH recognizes this critical role and supports innovation through two key programs: the SBIR Program, established in 1982, and the STTR Program, created a decade later. These programs provide crucial federal funding for projects with great potential for societal benefit, even if they may not initially attract traditional investment.
NIMH SBIR/STTR Program Priorities
The SBIR and STTR programs have a strong history of supporting technological advancements in mental health, spanning basic research tools to treatment-focused devices. These programs are dedicated to achieving progress in a rapidly evolving field.
Technology for Understanding Brain and Behavior
Development of advanced neuroscience tools is often fueled by these programs. SBIR/STTR programs assist basic neuroscience tools to help us understand the brain’s structure and function, ranging from individual cells to entire brain circuits. Pinnacle Technology, founded in 1995, is a global provider of neuroscience tools, in part thanks to this support. Scientists use these tools to gather and analyse data to better understand how the brain operates and how this differs in people with mental health challenges.
NIMH also supported Psychology Software Tools in the creation of E-Prime®, a user-friendly program. This program enables researchers to design cognitive and psychological experiments without coding skills. It is now a common fixture in research labs, with over 100,000 users across 75 countries.
Medical Device Development
While mental health medications are helpful for many in managing their symptoms, adherence can be challenging. Medication non-adherence is particularly problematic for those with schizophrenia, with challenges contributing to a significant percentage of relapses. To address these needs, NIMH supported Delpor Inc. in developing a new drug-delivery device for people with schizophrenia. This device is designed to deliver the antipsychotic risperidone at consistent levels for up to a year, significantly longer than existing options. The device can be withdrawn to manage side effects. It is currently in late-stage clinical trials.
Digital Health Technologies
The digital health market has grown rapidly, and NIMH’s SBIR/STTR portfolio reflects this trend. NIMH supports numerous projects to improve mental healthcare access, quality, and personalization through devices and software applications.
For example, Health Rhythms, a start-up, received SBIR support to develop and test a smartphone platform for individuals with mood disorders. The application uses smartphone sensors to identify daily behavior patterns. The platform also offers automated intervention advice to assist patients in mood regulation. Two large integrated systems are using this platform to monitor patients’ symptoms and triage those needing mental healthcare. In addition, a multi-site study is tracking 600 individuals with bipolar disorder over five years.
Drug Development
In the high-stakes world of drug development, costs are high, and the risk of failure looms. NIMH’s SBIR/STTR programs provide essential early-stage support to help build prototypes and test feasibility. Tetra Discovery Partners received SBIR funding to develop BPN14770, a compound that improves memory and provides other benefits. In 2020, Tetra Therapeutics was acquired by Shionogi & Co. Ltd. to support clinical trials of BPN14770 for central nervous system disorders.
Looking Ahead
Over the years, NIMH has supported 750 small businesses across a range of applications. SBIR/STTR awards have been distributed across 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (funding data available since 1991). Some businesses that received NIMH funding have become global businesses or been acquired by them, including Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, and Neurocrine Biosciences.
As technology continues to expand, the SBIR/STTR programs offer opportunities for furthering the NIMH mission. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of interest. Researchers at Lyssn are using AI and machine learning to improve crisis counseling services. They are investigating how AI can automate quality assurance, assist in monitoring 988 crisis center calls and provide support to counselors, and exploring how AI can aid in the development of biomarkers.
Since 1982, these investments have led to scientific progress and a brighter future for mental health research and clinical practice. NIMH is committed to supporting the evolution of technologies through its SBIR/STTR programs in the years to come.
