Connected healthcare is no longer a distant vision — it’s happening now. The convergence of digital therapeutics (DTx), artificial intelligence (AI), and connected devices is remapping how prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care are delivered. Instead of care being episodic and clinic-bound, it’s becoming continuous, personalized, and embedded in patients’ daily lives.
Digital therapeutics: evidence-based software as medicine
Digital therapeutics are software-driven interventions that prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. Unlike wellness apps, many DTx products are rigorously tested and, in some cases, cleared by regulators as medical treatments. For example, Pear Therapeutics’ prescription digital therapeutics — such as reSET — have gone through regulatory review and are used as adjuncts to standard care for substance use disorders. These products deliver therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy via apps and clinician dashboards, enabling scalable behavior change outside the clinic.
AI: the personalization engine
AI powers many of the gains in connected care. Machine learning models analyze continuous streams of data from wearables, sensors, and patient-reported outcomes to identify early warning signs, predict risk, and tailor interventions. In chronic disease management, AI helps triage which patients need clinician attention, suggests personalized coaching prompts, and optimizes medication adherence strategies. Firms that combine AI with virtual care platforms can deliver next-generation chronic care at scale — a model showing strong clinical and commercial traction.
For example, patients with chronic diseases like diabetes or mental health disorders can use DTx solutions to track their symptoms, receive real-time coaching, and adjust treatments based on ongoing data. AI complements DTx by analyzing large amounts of patient information for early detection and better management of diseases. For instance, AI algorithms can monitor typing patterns and voice signals through smartphones to detect subtle changes in mental health, allowing timely interventions before a crisis occurs. This approach enhances preventive care and reduces hospitalizations.
One standout real-world example is Medtronic’s closed-loop insulin delivery system, which uses AI to continuously monitor blood glucose and deliver personalized insulin doses automatically. This kind of connected healthcare system not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces the burden on healthcare providers. DTx and AI also empower patients by improving medication adherence — a major challenge in healthcare. Automated reminders, personalized feedback, and engaging user interfaces motivate patients to follow their treatment plans more consistently, leading to better health results.
Connected devices: closing the loop
Hardware matters too. Smart inhalers and connected sensors create real-world usage data that clinicians and algorithms use to refine therapy. Propeller Health, a pioneer in connected inhaler technology, became part of larger medtech ecosystems after acquisition, illustrating how digital device data accelerates clinical insights and better outcomes for respiratory patients.
Where pharma, payers, and tech intersect
The shift toward connected care forces new partnerships: pharmaceutical companies pairing drugs with companion DTx, payers reimbursing outcomes-based virtual care, and tech firms embedding regulatory rigor into product development. For pharma, offering an integrated drug + digital solution can extend therapeutic value and engage patients continuously rather than only at clinic visits.
The PharmaX Next Conference 2026: Shaping the Future of Connected Care
A key event highlighting these transformations is the PharmaX Next Conference 2026, scheduled for May 11–12, 2026, in Madrid. The conference will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators in AI, biotechnology, and digital transformation. Sessions will explore how digital therapeutics, predictive analytics, and AI-driven platforms are reshaping drug discovery and patient care. The event aims to bridge the gap between technology and life sciences, showcasing real-world applications that deliver measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes.
Conclusion
Connected healthcare — powered by digital therapeutics, AI, and connected devices — is shifting care from reactive to proactive, from one-size-fits-all to personalized, and from episodic to continuous. The technology and evidence are maturing; the remaining work is mostly cultural and systemic: aligning regulation, reimbursement, and clinical practice so patients everywhere can benefit. For healthcare stakeholders, the opportunity is clear: collaborate now to build the interoperable, evidence-based systems that will deliver better outcomes at scale.
References
Business Insider:Diabetes startup Omada Health finally went public after 14 years. Here’s who made bank.
National Library of Medicine: Research on disease management of chronic disease patients based on digital therapeutics: A scoping review
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