University of Manchester scientists working on an app for psychosis therapy receive government funding.
Scientists developing an app which provides cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to first time sufferers of psychotic episodes have received a £450k ($680k) injection from the Medical Research Council (MRC).
The funding comes after the UK Government announced the third wave of its Biomedical Catalyst scheme, a £25.9m chunk of an overall package of £93m designed to stimulate UK life science firms.
Dr Bucci, lead investigator of the study from the University of Manchester, said: “Schizophrenia is a serious mental health problem and the onset of psychosis can be a frightening experience for people. The Actissist app has the potential to transform care for people who experience psychosis by empowering them to take ownership over their own care in the community.”
Currently at proof-of-concept stage, researchers will be able to provide 24 first episode patients with the app. If successful, researchers hope the app could be further developed for other mental health conditions.
Professor Sir John Savill, chief executive of the MRC, said: “Biomedical Catalyst is fulfilling its goal of providing seamless support from early research in universities through to commercialisation by small and medium-sized companies.”
