The FDA just gave drug companies a clear roadmap for the apps that come with prescription medicines — pill reminders, symptom trackers. The same week, Tampa Bay’s DataMeds AI signed an early-stage deal with several AI and tech companies. The goal: virtual doctor visits, tools to help patients stay on track, and technology to make sure the right person gets their medicine — even by drone. Joining us is Gerald Commissiong, Interim Co-CEO of DataMeds AI. Gerald, thanks for being here.
Thank you for having me.
In simple terms, what does this deal mean for someone who takes a prescription?
We are vertically integrating all the different aspects of healthcare and consolidating the intellectual property that allows someone who typically goes through a traditional healthcare system to do it in a more virtual manner. We are not trying to eliminate the physical aspect of healthcare — we are changing how it is delivered. The independent pharmacy, which is often the only healthcare centre in rural areas, becomes the centre, and we create the tech stack to make that possible.
The FDA guidance is typically aimed at drug companies. Why does it matter to DataMeds?
The end of the road for a drug is a pharmacist handing a prescription to a patient. In this era where there is less direct interaction with physicians and a lot is done digitally, there is the advent of digital therapeutics — digital messages and interactions around a drug. But biology has to come into play. Do you take the medication on time? Are you testing your labs? Is there something you should do when you take it? There is a lot of information and interaction around drug use that requires coordination between the biological and the digital aspects. That is what the FDA is providing guidance on — a clear roadmap for developing these tools.
What does the Health Lives Here app do today and what does this deal add?
Today in the Health Lives Here app, you can see a physician, engage about your weight loss or diabetes journey, and get access to a prescription. You can also monitor sleep, wearables, steps, and nutritional information — all in one ecosystem. We have acquired a lab and are adding our own lab testing. With this new transaction, we are bringing in pharmacodynamic response monitoring — if you have a wearable on and are taking a heart medication, this technology can confirm that you have actually taken the drug by detecting its biological effect. That is very important from a compliance standpoint. We are also working to store all of that health data in a de-identified way on the blockchain with quantum encryption keys — so a provider anywhere in the world can access your records. No more lost lab results when travelling. No more fragmented records between doctors.
Why is staying on a weight loss drug so hard and how does the technology help?
It is not just the drug — it is the behaviour around the drug. Are there side effects you can manage to stay compliant? Are you taking it on time? We have an engagement tool developed with our partners at Reboot that addresses all of this. We also have proprietary products — amino acid complexes with strong data showing muscle maintenance, which addresses muscle loss, a known side effect with GLP-1 drugs. When patients get this kind of support, they tend to stay on the drug when they would otherwise fall off, and follow best practices because they are readily available rather than relying on paper reminders. As people get more used to wearables and seeing actionable health information, we see this as an adjunct tool that makes it easier for doctors to stay engaged with their patients remotely.
Thank you so much for joining us this morning.
