Medrhythms

High-Level Overview

MedRhythms is a digital therapeutics company developing prescription neurotherapeutics that combine wearable sensors, software, music, and neuroscience to improve walking and mobility in patients with neurologic conditions like chronic stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.[1][2][3] Its platform uses Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), an evidence-based intervention, to deliver personalized, real-time auditory-motor entrainment therapy, addressing gait impairments where clinician shortages limit access.[1][7] The company serves patients via prescription products, clinicians, and rehabilitation settings, solving scalability issues in neurologic rehab by enabling at-home or clinical use with over 30,000 hours of prior patient care informing its design; it has shown growth through FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2020, multiple patents, clinical trials, and investments including from Bose.[3][4]

Origin Story

MedRhythms originated as a Neurologic Music Therapy practice founded by Brian Harris, a board-certified Neurologic Music Therapist, at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (ranked among the top U.S. rehab hospitals) around 2013-2015.[1][3][4][7] Harris, one of only 350 globally trained in neuroscience-music applications, grew it into the U.S.'s most comprehensive such practice, delivering over 30,000 hours of care.[1] In 2017, spotting scalability limits amid rising demand for gait disorder treatments, Harris co-founded the company with Owen McCarthy to tech-enable RAS via sensors and software.[1][7] Pivotal early moments included relocating to Portland, Maine, for talent and innovation support; securing FDA Breakthrough Designation for its chronic stroke product in 2020; and partnerships like Universal Music Group for curated music.[1][3][4]

Core Differentiators

• Proprietary Technology Platform: Integrates IMU sensors on shoes for real-time gait data, patented algorithms to dynamically adjust music tempo and stimuli for entrainment, and software for personalized therapy progression toward clinical goals like improved walking quality.[1][2][5]
• Evidence-Based Mechanism: Rooted in 30+ years of RAS research, neuroplasticity via rhythm's motor engagement, and real-world clinician data; products undergo FDA-regulated trials (e.g., ongoing pivotal RCT for stroke, studies at Cleveland Clinic).[1][3][6]
• Scalable Pipeline: Develops prescription digital therapeutics for stroke, Parkinson's, MS, aging, and fall prevention; first-mover with FDA fast-track and Bose-backed audio innovation.[3][4][6]
• Personalization and Accessibility: Curates music via patented processes with Universal Music Group for patient-preferred tracks; uses off-the-shelf sensors initially for cost-efficiency in trials, enabling broad deployment.[1][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

MedRhythms rides the digital therapeutics and neurotech wave, merging AI-driven personalization, wearables, and non-pharmacologic interventions amid rising neurologic disease prevalence (e.g., 2.5M+ annual U.S. strokes/TBIs).[4][8] Timing aligns with FDA's support for Breakthrough Devices, clinician shortages, and post-pandemic demand for at-home rehab, amplified by neuroplasticity research validating music's brain-wide effects.[1][3] Market tailwinds include aging populations, MS/PD growth, and investor interest in audio-health crossovers (e.g., Bose); it influences the ecosystem by pioneering RAS scalability, partnering with hospitals like Spaulding/Cleveland Clinic, and expanding music's role in precision medicine beyond pharma.[1][4][6]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

MedRhythms is poised to launch its chronic stroke therapeutic post-pivotal trial completion, with pipeline expansion into Parkinson's, MS, and beyond via ongoing multi-site studies and neuroimaging.[3][6] Trends like AI gait analysis, immersive audio therapeutics, and value-based care will accelerate adoption, potentially evolving it into a multi-condition platform leader. As neurotech matures, its clinician-tech hybrid could redefine accessible rehab, scaling Harris's therapy legacy to millions while attracting pharma partnerships. This positions MedRhythms as a pioneer harmonizing music, data, and neuroscience for brain health transformation.[1][2][8]