Beyond Pills: The Tech Takeover in Migraine Management

Groundbreaking treatments and technological advancements are setting new standards for migraine relief and patient expectations. This dynamic shift is characterized by a focus on personalization and non-pharmacological interventions, reflecting a broader trend towards integrating technology with patient-centric healthcare solutions.

Why It Matters

Migraines affect over a billion people globally, and not only impairs quality of life but leads to significant productivity losses. The economic impact is substantial, with US companies incurring between an estimated $13 billion to $78 billion each year in related costs, reinforcing the need for effective treatments.

State of Play

The migraine treatment sector is bustling with significant pharmaceutical developments and regulatory approvals.

• Pfizer’s acquisition of Biohaven for $11.6 billion, brought Rimegepant (Vydura, Nurtec) under its wing, with first-quarter 2023 sales reaching $167 million after receiving FDA approval in 2020.
• AbbVie’s Atogepant (Qulipta), initially FDA-approved in 2021, won an expanded approval in 2023 and received a NICE decision in the UK in April 2024.

Advancing Innovation

The landscape of migraine treatment is being reshaped by innovative non-drug approaches from startups, indicating burgeoning interest in this space.

• Two companies developing nerve stimulation devices, Cefaly and Gammacore, have received FDA approval for their devices in the last 5 years.
• Israeli startup Theranica secured a $45 million investment for its remote electrical neurmodulation device Nerivio. Meanwhile, US-based ShiraTronics has raised $36 million, and has had a recent breakthrough implanting their neuromodulation device in six patients, reflecting a growing focus on non-traditional treatment methods.
• KetoSwiss raised $4.8 million to develop MigraKet, a solution based on ingesting ketone bodies for migraine relief. Its effectiveness is based on a small trial of 41 people, however, questions certainly remain around efficacy as their results showed that only 9 people saw a beneficial effect on migraine reduction.

The Big Picture

Consumer health companies are increasingly moving into the migraine sector, making strategic partnerships and offering specialized services.

• Nurx, a women-focused telehealth platform, expanded its services in 2020 to include migraine treatments. “Since the majority of migraine sufferers are women, we felt that we were uniquely positioned to address one of the most common health conditions,” said Allison Hoffman, the head of communications for Nurx.
• Thirty Madison launched Cove, a telemedicine platform, to broaden access to migraine specialists. Cove is now collaborating with companies like Biohaven (acquired by Pfizer) and Theranica to enhance service offerings and provide wider access to medication.
• In 2022, Thirty Madison merged with Nurx to support over 750,000 migraine patients.

Bottom Line

The intersection of emerging technologies, innovative therapeutic options, and strategic business initiatives, coupled with the high prevalence of migraines, is driving a significant transformation in the migraine treatment landscape. This shift sees third-party businesses playing a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of migraine management.