GRYT Health and Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce New Digital Pilot to Advance Cancer Care through Patient-Driven Insights

ROCHESTER, N.Y. and PRINCETON, N.J., March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GRYT Health, a connected health start-up with a social purpose, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced a strategic pilot utilizing de-identified data to integrate patient insights and clinical research with the goal of building a foundation of real-world data that will support improved clinical trial design, disease management and the overall well-being of patients living with cancer.

The pilot will provide Bristol-Myers Squibb with valuable insights from patients on their experiences with cancer through GRYT's Stupid Cancer app, the most used patient and caregiver platform in oncology.  The app is designed to instantly and anonymously connect people affected by cancer with each other, give them a platform for exchange and empower them with important resources and information. By learning more about how patients experience and manage their disease, Bristol-Myers Squibb and GRYT aim to accelerate health innovations and improve quality of life for patients.

"This pilot represents a shared commitment between GRYT Health and Bristol-Myers Squibb to improve the lives of patients through collaboration and digital innovation," said Dave Fuehrer, co-founder and CEO of GRYT Health. "We worked with patients to build the Stupid Cancer app around their unique preferences and expectations. Together with Bristol-Myers Squibb, we are taking the same patient-driven approach to accelerate progress in the way we manage disease and support the overall well-being for patients impacted by cancer."

"Our primary focus is always on the patient," said Murdo Gordon, chief commercial officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "Through our collaboration with GRYT, we have the opportunity to incorporate the input of cancer patients across our business ? from research to patient support and empowerment programs ? that will best serve the cancer community."

"Today's technology has the potential to help us begin to close the gap between patient experience and cancer research," said Kate Owen, head of clinical operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "Through the Stupid Cancer app, we are excited to learn more from patients about how we can make our clinical research programs as patient-friendly as possible."

Stupid Cancer's App is a free mobile app that provides instant, anonymous peer support and targeted cancer information to anyone affected by cancer including patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, family, medical professionals, researchers and advocates. Users complete a short profile and are connected with others based on the similarity of their experience. They can also participate in moderated group chats and programs hosted by experts in their field.  Stupid Cancer's App is available for free download for iOS devices and for Android in April 2018.

At the 2018 SXSW Interactive Festival, GRYT Health was recognized as a runner-up in the HealthSpark Barracuda Bowl, a "shark tank" like pitch competition for innovative startups. GRYT was also selected as runner-up for the Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI)'s 2018 Summit for Clinical Ops Executives (SCOPE) award, recognizing innovation and change in how the industry communicates with participants in the fields of recruitment and retention in clinical trials. 

About GRYT Health 
GRYT Health is a Connected Health start-up with a social purpose. Founded in 2016 by cancer survivors and caregivers, GRYT developed the Stupid Cancer app, a web-based mobile platform that is used in all 50 states and across 50 countries, to connect people with others just like them and with information to manage their health on their terms. GRYT works with organizations who specialize in oncology to ensure people have information and access to options, so they can choose what's right for them. Ten percent of GRYT's revenue is donated to Stupid Cancer, the leading advocacy organization supporting adolescents and young adults affected by cancer.  GRYT is headquartered in Rochester, NY. For more information, visit www.grythealth.com.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb 
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.  

CONTACT:

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
Media:
Danielle Halstrom, 215-280-3898
[email protected]

GRYT HEALTH
Media:
Vikki Christian, 424-610-1241
[email protected]  

SOURCE GRYT Health