In this episode, Cowen's Health Care Technology analyst Charles Rhyee speaks with Corey McCann, MD, PhD, who is President and CEO of Pear Therapeutics, a pioneer in prescription digital therapeutics, and the first company to receive FDA market authorization for software to treat disease. We discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, the challenges in helping individuals get treatment during the pandemic, and how for the first time software can serve as front-line treatment for a wide range of conditions, including substance use disorder, opiate use disorder and chronic insomnia. We delve into the advantages that a digital therapeutics platform has over traditional drug development and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of launching a whole new class of drugs in this challenging period.
Corey M. McCann, MD, PhD, is the President and CEO of Pear Therapeutics. Previously, Corey was an investor with MPM Capital, where he evaluated new healthcare investment opportunities, managed relationships with strategic partners, and oversaw strategy and execution at portfolio companies. Prior to MPM, he was an Engagement Manager with McKinsey & Company, where he advised pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology companies on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of life science technologies. He led McKinsey’s central nervous system expertise group, advising clients across the healthcare value chain. Corey has previous investment experience with RiverVest Venture Partners and at NeuroInsights. Corey is also a co-founder, advisor, or Board Director at AgNovos Healthcare, Alcyone Lifesciences, Dragonfly Sciences, Edumedics, Resolute Bio, Selexys Pharmaceuticals, and Zillion Health. Corey trained as a physician-scientist via the Medical Scientist Training Program. For his PhD, he studied the molecular biology of synapses at Harvard University and at Washington University in St Louis. He received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis.