Depression affects approximately 280 million people It occurs all over the world and particularly affects women. It occurs 50% more in women than in men. Treatments range from psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments to antidepressants and the more experimental concept of brain stimulation therapy.
Sooma, a medical technology startup based in Helsinki, Finland, focuses on the latter. The company has developed a portable brain stimulator. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
The company's neuromodulator is already the most prescribed tDCS therapy worldwide, with more than 20,000 people treated. Sooma today announced that it has secured additional growth funding of €5 million to further develop its products and expand in new and existing markets.
What is tDCS for depression?Â
tDCS is a type of neuromodulation (a process that modulates the activity of the nervous system by controlling the physiological levels of neurons) that uses low electrical current to stimulate specific parts of the brain.
So how does wearing a swimming cap with electrodes reduce symptoms of depression? A weak electrical current delivered through the cap stimulates specific brain cells responsible for releasing neurotransmitters associated with mood. activities may be affected.Furthermore, the 2023 survey Published in Nature magazine They found that certain settings of tDCS produced more gray matter, an important component of the brain's neural tissue. Brain regions associated with gray matter loss due to depression.
“Everyone battling depression deserves a chance at a brighter tomorrow,” said Tuomas Neubonen, co-founder and CEO of Sooma. “We want to reach out especially to people who are off-medicated or have limited access to psychotherapy, and to ensure that everyone suffering from depression receives the best possible care.” I’m dedicated to doing that.”
Sooma's device can be used at home, but treatment requires a prescription. Patients can use this as a standalone intervention or in combination with other treatments. The system is linked to a digital platform that allows doctors to monitor how well patients adhere to prescribed treatments and adapt them to individual needs.
Rapid FDA certification
The startup also hopes to help close the gap in mental health care in the U.S. with FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. This is an identifier that indicates that the device should undergo expedited certification for patient access because it has the potential to provide a more effective treatment than standard treatment measures.
““FDA approval would not only open up the treatment to patients across the United States, but it would also provide a seal of approval to regulatory agencies around the world,” Newvonen said. Last September, Sooma also became the first tDCS device manufacturer to receive European medical device regulatory certification.
The €5 million funding round was led by prominent Scandinavian early investor Voima Ventures, and was joined by Singapore-based Verge HealthTech Fund and existing investor Stephen Industries, an investor in healthtech and other impactful technologies. (Helsinki-based family office) participated. solution.