Innovate UK has announced a funding opportunity aimed at developing digital therapeutics using extended reality (XR) for mental health. The competition, opening on 28^th October 2024, will invest up to £3.7 million in R&D projects that offer innovative mental healthcare solutions. Eligible projects should have costs between £200,000 and £300,000 and last 12 to 18 months. XR solutions should focus on addressing moderate to severe mental health conditions and aim for large-scale adoption within the UK’s healthcare system. The deadline for applications is 15^th January 2025.

Addressing Mental Health with Extended Reality

Mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges. The rise in anxiety, depression, and other conditions has spurred the demand for effective mental health treatments that can be scaled and made widely accessible. This funding opportunity encourages the development of XR solutions aimed at treating moderate to severe mental health conditions. XR technologies include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), all of which have been used in therapeutic settings for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

By combining these immersive technologies with evidence-based therapeutic approaches, XR solutions can offer patients an engaging and personalised experience. Unlike traditional talk therapies, XR can simulate environments that help patients confront and manage their symptoms in real-time. For instance, VR has been used to treat phobias by gradually exposing individuals to their fears in a controlled and safe environment. Similarly, AR can help users visualise coping strategies or engage with therapeutic content in their daily surroundings.

The Scope of the Competition

The competition invites proposals that will create new, innovative XR-based digital therapeutics. Projects must focus on mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other moderate to severe conditions. These solutions should not just focus on short-term relief but also demonstrate a potential for long-term, sustainable impact on the UK’s healthcare system.

Innovate UK emphasises the need for solutions that can be integrated into existing healthcare frameworks, allowing for broad scalability and accessibility. This means that proposed XR therapeutics should be designed with the intention of large-scale adoption within the UK’s mental health services. Innovators are encouraged to work closely with healthcare professionals, patients, and mental health experts to ensure that their solutions are evidence-based, patient-centred, and aligned with the needs of the healthcare system.

Eligibility Criteria and Project Requirements

The competition is open to UK-based organisations, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, universities, and research and technology organisations. Collaborations between industry and academia are encouraged to foster multidisciplinary approaches, which are often necessary when developing complex digital health solutions. However, lead applicants must demonstrate their ability to lead the development and commercialisation of the proposed XR therapeutic.

Projects should have total costs ranging between £200,000 and £300,000 and are expected to last between 12 and 18 months. This funding can be used to cover a variety of activities, including research and development, clinical trials, user testing, and the creation of XR content. Applicants must show how their solution will meet a significant clinical need, how it will be tested for efficacy and safety, and how it will be positioned for real-world implementation.

Importance of Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Developing effective digital therapeutics requires a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise in healthcare, psychology, technology, and design. The intersection of these fields is crucial for creating XR experiences that are not only technologically sound but also therapeutically effective. For example, clinicians can ensure that the therapeutic content is grounded in psychological science, while XR developers and designers can create immersive and engaging user experiences.

Innovate UK recognises the importance of collaboration between these diverse fields and encourages applicants to assemble teams that reflect this. This includes partnerships between the healthcare sector and technology companies, as well as collaboration with patients and mental health advocates to ensure that the solutions are patient centric. Co-creation with end-users can also help ensure that the final product is user-friendly and meets the needs of those who will benefit from the technology.

Potential Impact on the Healthcare System

The UK’s healthcare system, like many others around the world, is under increasing strain due to rising demand for mental health services. Traditional therapeutic models, which often rely on face-to-face sessions with trained professionals, are resource-intensive and difficult to scale. Digital therapeutics, particularly those that leverage XR, have the potential to fill this gap by offering scalable, accessible, and effective treatments that complement existing care pathways.

XR-based therapeutics can be delivered remotely, allowing patients to engage in therapy from their homes, which can be especially beneficial for those in rural or underserved areas. Moreover, the immersive nature of XR can enhance engagement and adherence to therapy, which are often major barriers to treatment success in mental health. By offering engaging and interactive experiences, XR therapeutics may be more likely to encourage patients to complete their treatment plans and achieve better outcomes.

In addition to benefiting patients, XR solutions have the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare providers. By automating some aspects of treatment or offering supplementary therapeutic content, these solutions could free up clinicians’ time to focus on more complex cases. Furthermore, the data collected through digital therapeutics can provide valuable insights into patient progress, helping clinicians tailor treatments to individual needs.

For more information on how to apply, visit the competition page.