Brainjo Secures €2M for VR ADHD Therapy, Aims for 2028 German DiGA Approval

Brainjo secured €2 million in seed funding to develop its virtual reality (VR) therapy for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), targeting German digital health app (DiGA) approval by 2028.

Regensburg-based Brainjo has closed a €2 million seed funding round. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) led the investment, with angel investors Andreas Weinhut and better ventures also contributing. This capital directly funds clinical studies and regulatory efforts for a VR-based therapy designed for children with ADHD.

The company aims to address existing gaps in mental health care access for children. In Germany, families often experience significant wait times for therapy appointments. Brainjo’s platform offers an immersive, home-based treatment option.

Brainjo’s VR therapy aims to provide deeper immersion compared to purely software-based ADHD applications. The company states it will provide study data to demonstrate improved adherence, meaning patients are more likely to stick with the treatment plan. This approach transforms proven therapeutic tasks into engaging virtual environments, allowing children to practice coping skills with a built-in reward system.

A clinical study involving approximately 100 children diagnosed with ADHD is currently underway. The outcomes of this study will provide data on the therapy's effectiveness and its impact on patient engagement. Researchers will assess how this VR method compares to existing interventions.

Brainjo is developing its product with the goal of achieving Digital Health Application (DiGA) status in Germany. DiGA approval allows doctors to prescribe the app, making it eligible for coverage by public health insurance. The company targets market approval for its VR-based intervention by 2028.

The €2 million investment positions Brainjo to advance its digital therapeutic solution. This funding supports the rigorous clinical validation necessary for regulatory bodies to consider the VR therapy for widespread use. The partnership with MEDICE, a pharmaceutical company specializing in ADHD medication, further strengthens Brainjo’s pathway for potential distribution and integration into broader care models.

If approved as a DiGA, Brainjo's VR therapy could offer a new, accessible option for families navigating ADHD. This would expand the range of tools available beyond traditional therapy and medication. The ongoing clinical study's results will be critical in evaluating the potential for virtual reality to enhance treatment adherence and clinical outcomes for children.

Watch for updates on Brainjo's clinical study results and its progress toward securing DiGA approval in the German healthcare system.