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December 5, 2019

Portland startup awarded patent for 'digital therapeutic'

File Photo / Tim Greenway Owen McCarthy, left, and Brian Harris are co-founders of MedRhythms Inc., which has received a patent for its walking rehabilitation platform.

MedRhythms Inc., a Portland-based medical technology startup, has received a patent for its digital therapeutics platform, which uses music to treat walking impairment in adults with neurological disease or injury.

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued the company a patent for its "Systems and Methods for Neurologic Rehabilitation,” according to a news release.

The new patent and several pending ones demonstrate that “the active technology of a digital therapeutic may be protected in a manner similar to a traditional pharmaceutical,” MedRhythms said in the release.

The company’s platform works by combining music therapy with physical sensors and artificial intelligence software. MedRhythms is developing therapeutics for indications such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and fall prevention, and in October said it was beginning a clinical trial of its solution for stroke patients.

“We are pleased with the development of MedRhythms' intellectual property portfolio, which recognizes the strength of MedRhythms' innovation, establishes the company as an innovative leader in digital therapeutics, and sets a foundation for the company to build products that will significantly impact the lives of those who we endeavor to serve," CEO Brian Harris said in the release.

Harris, a certified music therapist, co-founded the venture capital-backed company in 2016 with Owen McCarthy, who studied biological engineering and serves as president. The pair were recognized on Mainebiz's 2018 Next list for their impact on Maine's economy.

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