Just as people rely on mobile apps like Waze for smoother navigation or wear Fitbit trackers to enhance their workouts, an Israeli biotech startup envisions a future where patients receive personalized software alongside traditional medications to optimize treatment outcomes.
Established in 2022 by Dr. Michal Tsur, co-founder of video platform provider Kaltura, and Or Shoval, Remepy is developing customized therapeutic software for mobile apps. These apps aim to unlock brain functions that regulate the immune system and complement traditional drugs.
The concept is to build a platform that links mental and physical health through cognitive-behavioral exercises, guided meditations, and neuroscience-based practices like multisensory conditioning.
Announcing a $10 million seed funding round on Wednesday, Remepy has raised a total of $15 million. The startup plans to pioneer the first “hybrid drug” by combining digital therapeutic software with medications.
Remepy believes that combining drugs with non-pharmacological digital treatments can offer superior solutions for many neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, including cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.
The funding round, led by venture capital firm NFX, saw participation from Vine Ventures, Psymed Ventures, Supernode Ventures, Firstime Ventures, Tech Aviv, fresh.fund, and 97212 Ventures.
According to Dr. Tsur, Remepy’s co-CEO, they harness digital interactions with the brain to induce physiological changes that complement drug therapies. These interactions target brain connectivity, immune system modulation, and reward system activation to enhance treatment outcomes.
Dr. Danny Bar Zohar, Merck’s global head of R&D and chief medical officer, has joined Remepy’s board of directors. Tsur mentioned that the startup’s digital app has shown promising results in pilot studies and clinical trials, including reducing depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and improving resilience and biomarkers related to chronic stress and inflammation.
The startup aims to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to integrate its digital therapeutic applications with both proprietary and generic drugs. Tsur emphasized that amidst challenging times, their work not only involves innovation but also holds the potential to combat severe diseases and contribute to healing.
