94. XR Therapeutics: using virtual reality to treat real disorders

Founder: Morag Maskey and Professor Jeremy Parr
Year founded: 2020
Website: xrtherapeutics.co.uk

According to research, nearly a quarter of mental health patients wait more than 12 weeks to start treatment. Many are so desperate, they are turning to A&E or dialling 999.

XR Therapeutics cofounders Morag Maskey and Billy Webber are on a mission to reduce NHS wait times by taking a scalable, accessible approach to early intervention. The startup uses extended reality (XR) to boost the impact of talking therapies for those suffering with anxiety disorders.

Thanks to this technology, patients are able to engage directly with phobias and scenarios that can trigger anxiety, from a safe and comfortable environment.

Therapists and clinicians may be sceptical about incorporating XR into their practices, preferring more traditional CBT treatments,

The business idea stems from nine years of academic work at Newcastle University, where the cofounders were researching how therapy for anxiety disorders could be more effective for those with autism. They found that certain technology combined with CBT therapy could achieve over 50% success rates, compared to traditional CBT methods which stand at 5%.

The cofounders knew that there could be a much wider need for their treatment, leading them to expand and work with individuals with anxiety and other mental health conditions. But that description belies the challenges of rht past year. Breaking the mould in a traditional, human-focused sector has not been easy.

“Therapists and clinicians may be sceptical about incorporating XR into their practices, preferring more traditional CBT treatments,” says Maskey. “Convincing them to embrace a new tool requires significant outreach, education and building trust in the technology.”

Support has come from investors — the startup secured £925,000 in a round led by the North East Innovation Fund — as well as collaborations with five NHS Trusts across England and a select group of leading charities.

A recent success has been the launch of XRT Boundless, which has meant that XR Therapeutics’ treatment can be accessed over Zoom. With many therapy sessions now taking place remotely, this is a key milestone for the firm.

Looking ahead, the plan is to expand the technology and therapy further to respond to the needs of people living with PTSD and psychosis. By addressing a critical need for accessible and effective mental healthcare, XR Therapeutics is re-shaping the future of mental health treatment.