It wasn’t over—it still isn’t over!

Last week Pear Therapeutics' assets sold to four buyers, including former CEO Corey McCann, for around $6M. This news leaves us speculating whether Pear may have just joined a shortlist of digital health companies that didn’t last, but did create assets that will live on to make an impact. For example, Lantern wound down in 2019 only to reemerge as Omada’s mental health offering. Similarly, Leva–once Renovia’s women’s pelvic health product—was granted a second life under Axena Health. In the current market, it feels especially important to note that impact isn’t (and shouldn’t be) only measured in terms of profitability or exits–just as important is entrepreneurs’ ability to address real, thorny problems. Untethered from challenging business models, go-to-market approaches, and sometimes just the wrong timing, real innovations that bring positive change to healthcare can still live on.

Upcoming events for digital health innovators and entrepreneurs: 

+ Rock Health Capital and LRVHealth are co-hosting a happy hour for digital health entrepreneurs in Boston on Monday, June 5. Learn more and register here.

+ Rock Health Summit 2023 will take place in San Francisco (and virtually!) on September 27, 2023. For a recap of digital health's best and brightest ideas shared at last year’s event, check out the 2022 Spotlight on Innovation series. Join us at Rock Health Summit to learn more about the ideas pushing the edge of healthcare innovation—register today!

Headlines

Weight Loss Startup Noom Launches Program Prescribing New Weight Loss Drugs
Startup adds obesity drugs to diet and behavior change solution USA Today

Epic Is Going All In On Generative AI In Healthcare
UNC is piloting Epic + Microsoft's gen AI tool to support overworked clinicians Fierce Healthcare

Payers Need Clear Outcomes Data To Reimburse Digital Health
Specific, clear measures of outcomes are needed for better reimbursement MedCity News

RPM Brings 30-Day Mortality Rate To Almost Zero For Heart Bypass Procedure
Carium app with Fitbit integration drastically improves mortality rates Healthcare IT News

How Wellstar Plans To Invest $100M In Digital Health Over Next 10 Years
Georgia-based health system wants to be a part of building digital health solutions Becker’s Hospital Review

Recent Funding

  • Embr Labs ropes in $35M for its menopause-focused wearable device
  • Lifeforce pulls in $12M for its personalized health training and nutrition programs
  • Virtual neurology clinic Neura Health adds $8M to treat chronic headaches and migraines
  • Dock Health secures $5M for its workflow optimization and task management solution