艾昆纬IQVIA2024年数字健康趋势报告对研究和患者诊治的影响英文版93页_2mb

Digital Health Trends 2024: Implications for Research and Patient Care

Core Content

The 2024 Digital Health Trends report by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science outlines the evolving landscape of digital health, emphasizing its transition from a nascent field to a more mature and structured market. Despite challenges faced by digital health companies in recent years, including reduced funding and difficulty in growing revenue, the industry has continued to innovate, with new products and solutions emerging that better align with stakeholder needs and commercial viability.

The report highlights the increasing integration of digital health tools into existing care pathways, with a focus on digital therapeutics (DTx), digital diagnostics (Dx), and sensor-based digital measures. These tools are being used to improve outcomes for patients with chronic conditions, streamline diagnosis, and support remote monitoring. Additionally, the report explores the role of digital health in research, where wearable sensors and digital endpoints are being utilized to enhance clinical trials and reduce risk.

Main Trends

1. Digital Health Market Maturity

• Digital health companies have faced financial headwinds, with some startups failing and established firms struggling with growth and adoption.
• The market is becoming more mature, with an increasing number of approval and reimbursement pathways for digital health products, improving the chances of long-term success.
• Developers are combining individual product types into integrated solutions with both patient and physician-facing interfaces, making them more attractive for health system adoption.

2. Consumer App Trends

• Over 1 million consumer digital health apps have been created since 2008, but two-thirds are no longer marketed.
• The number of consumer health apps has stabilized at around 300,000 since 2017, with a 4% decline since 2021 due to stricter app removal and fewer new releases.
• Disease-specific apps are growing, particularly for mental health, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
• Clinical evidence is becoming a critical factor in consumer adoption, with apps that demonstrate health benefits seeing faster uptake and higher usage rates.

3. Digital Therapeutics (DTx)

• Over 360 software-based therapeutic tools are now commercially available, with 140 granted market access through national regulatory pathways.
• 42 non-prescription DTx are available, many for self-management.
• DTx are increasingly used in digital care programs, particularly in Germany and the U.S., where regulatory and reimbursement frameworks are evolving.
• DTx now include a wider range of mechanisms of action, such as biofeedback, virtual reality, and exposure therapy, beyond traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) apps.
• Some DTx have received FDA breakthrough device designation for their potential to address unmet medical needs.

4. Sensor-Based Digital Measures

• Digital sensors and wearables are enabling the remote monitoring of patients and the collection of nuanced health data.
• These tools are used in clinical trials and patient care to track outcomes and demonstrate therapeutic effects.
• The FDA and EMA have started approving digital endpoints for use in trials, including those using wearables to assess conditions like COPD and atrial fibrillation.
• AI and machine learning are playing a key role in enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of these measures.

5. Digital Diagnostics and Health Assessment Tools

• Software-based devices that process signals from sensors are rapidly expanding the scope of digital diagnostics.
• At least 103 digital diagnostics are now available, capable of detecting conditions like autism spectrum disorders, sleep apnea, and sepsis.
• In the U.S., 75 AI/ML-enabled tools have been approved by the FDA, and 801 distinct AI/ML-enabled devices have received approval as of June 2024.
• These tools are helping to democratize health assessment by enabling early diagnosis and reducing unnecessary referrals to specialists.

6. Uptake and Use of Digital Health Technologies

• Digital health tools are being used to close care gaps across the patient journey, particularly for high-risk chronic conditions.
• Remote patient monitoring has seen significant growth, with increased provider billing in the U.S. and the development of reimbursement pathways in various countries.
• Obesity and weight management apps are gaining traction, although mental health apps remain more widely used.
• Digital care programs are becoming a primary channel for DTx, with over 180 programs available globally.
• In Germany, 56 DTx are eligible for reimbursement, and the DiGA directory serves as a centralized repository of clinical evidence.

Key Information

• The digital health landscape is expanding and becoming more defined, with a focus on integrated solutions and clinical utility.
• Investment trends show a decline in venture funding, with digital health deals reaching their lowest levels since 2019.
• The Q2 2024 saw a rebound in funding and deal values, offering hope for the industry's future.
• Life sciences companies are increasingly investing in digital health for both patient care and research, using sensors, digital endpoints, and AI to improve outcomes.
• Innovation cycles suggest that after periods of disillusionment, new products are entering the market that better meet stakeholder needs and are more commercially viable.
• Integration with other health technologies is helping developers overcome market challenges and improve adoption.

Conclusion

The 2024 Digital Health Trends report highlights the ongoing transformation of the digital health industry, driven by technological advances and the need for more effective, accessible, and sustainable healthcare solutions. While challenges remain, particularly in terms of reimbursement and market adoption, the industry is showing signs of resilience and growth, with a greater focus on clinical evidence, integration, and sustainability.