Akili Interactive Labs - a Boston-based digital health care company working on non-pharmacological therapeutics for various cognitive disorders - just closed another $11.9 million for its Series B funding raised in January of this year. The additional capital came from Merck Ventures and Amgen Ventures and brought the company’s total Series B round to $42.4 million. Akili plans to use the funding to further develop its clinical-stage products, as well as prepare to bring its late-stage products to market.
“There exists a tremendous opportunity to deliver medicine that is efficacious and addresses the needs for safe, non-pharmacological treatments in many neurological and mental health patient populations,” Eddie Martucci, Co-founder and CEO of Akili, said in a statement. “M Ventures’ and Amgen Ventures’ support, combined with that of our existing investors, will help us continue to advance our projects toward commercialization.”
Akili, which was founded by PureTech Health, is focused on developing clinical video games that serve as treatments and assessments for different neurological disorders. With a team of neuroscientists and game designers, the company strives to build interactive, digital alternatives to pharmaceuticals and conventional treatment plans.
Currently, Akili is in the midst of conducting various studies on its products. For instance, it’s engaged in a trial for one of its major products called Project: EVO, which aims to be a non-pharmacological alternative for treating pediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If it renders positive results through the study, the company will be looking to gain FDA approval for it. Additional Akili products are being studied for their potential impact on other cognitive disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
This story has been updated.
