GrayMatters Health (GMH), an Israeli startup that develops digital self-neuromodulation therapies for mental disorders, is receiving investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, following the September 2022 grant from EIC of two and a half million euros. Meanwhile, SaverOne, an Israeli company that offers a new system takes which can take control of a driver’s telephone and prevent the use of dangerous applications, joined the European Union’s Regulatory Committee on Driver Distraction (RCDD), as an observing member.
So, regardless of current political disputes, the Europeans seem to be committed to continuing their relationships with Startup Nation Israel firms.
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The RCDD is responsible for setting EU regulations for vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) for in-vehicle technologies that help detect driver distractions and improve road safety. SaverOne will have the opportunity to contribute its expertise and insights to help shape the future of in-vehicle technology, to reduce driver distractions and better protect vulnerable road users. SaverOne will participate in discussions, provide feedback, and help craft regulations that promote safer driving habits and promote technologies to reduce accidents on the road.
The members of the EU Regulatory Committee on Driver Distraction include organizations such as the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the Automobile Suppliers Association (CLEPA), the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and similar industry organizations. SaverOne became an observer and permanent participant in the committee, along with leading vehicle manufacturers which include Volvo Cars and Stellantis, a corporation that unites Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Jeep and twelve other brands.
The EU Regulatory Committee on Driver Distraction aims to promote regulations that oblige OEMs that launch new vehicle models in the EU starting from July 2024 to integrate solutions into the vehicle systems that will tackle driver distraction. From July 2026, the integration of driver distraction systems will become a requirement for all new vehicles sold in the EU.
Founded in 2014, SaverOne incorporates an In-Vehicle Protection System for preventing accidents resulting from Texting & Driving (T&D). These accidents account for 25% of all accidents! (more than driving while intoxicated). This is achieved by preventing the use of texting applications by the driver when the vehicle is in motion, while all other passengers are not affected.
“We are thrilled to join the EU Regulatory Committee for Driver Distraction, this important industry regulatory committee focusing on driver and vulnerable road user safety,” commented Ori Gilboa, CEO of SaverOne. “It is truly an honor to have been selected to take an active role in such an important governmental committee and to have the opportunity to contribute our deep experience and expertise. One of the primary causes of accidents today is driver distraction due to mobile phone use while driving, and controlling this is a crucial step for improving road safety. We have already taken the lead on this effort via our SaverOne Solution, which is today being implemented in thousands of vehicles in Israel, and we hope soon to expand internationally, which we believe has already helped save lives. We believe that way forward is the broad implementation by vehicle manufacturers of international regulation, and we applaud the efforts of the EU in advancing regulation to tackle driver distraction.”
As for GrayMatters Health, European Investment Bank (EIB) is acting as the investment advisor to the EIC Fund for this transaction. The funds will be utilized for the continued development of GMH’s flagship product, Prism for PTSD, a non-invasive digital therapy for use as an adjunct to standard of care treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as a large-scale study in the EU.
GreyMatters works by using old pictures with recordings of people speaking about the events depicted in them. The patient watches the pictures and listens to the audio in an effort to help them remember things they have forgotten.
Said Oded Kraft, GrayMatters Health Co-Founder, and CEO, “With more than nine million Europeans living with PTSD we remain steadfast in our mission to improve the outcome of treatment and are invigorated by EIC’s additional investment as we advance the development of our PTSD solution. Recognized as a company bringing breakthrough technology and game changing innovations to our field by EIC, we are eager to expand Prism to treat additional mental disorders.”
GMH is the first to use advanced statistical models to fuse EEG and fMRI data to develop biomarkers of brain-mechanism-specific activity associated with mental disorders, named EEG-fMRI-Pattern (EFP). The company’s products use these biomarkers with an interactive audio/visual interface to help patients regain control (agency) over the relevant brain activity.
The company’s flagship product, Prism for PTSD, trains patients to lower the amygdala-derived-EFP biomarker, which is associated with the amygdala and emotion regulation system, using self-neuromodulation techniques.
