Bayer has announced its plan to acquire HiDoc Technologies GmbH in the first quarter of 2025, along with the commercialization of the digital health application Cara Care®. This groundbreaking app is the first prescribed digital health application designed for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cara Care® introduces a novel, holistic therapeutic approach for IBS patients, offering innovative solutions to improve their quality of life.
Addressing the Challenges of IBS
Patients with IBS often endure a long and challenging journey before receiving a formal diagnosis. Even after diagnosis, they face daily hurdles that significantly impact their quality of life. To provide these patients with a comprehensive and personalized approach to treatment, Bayer is integrating Cara Care® into its portfolio. This acquisition aligns with Bayer’s mission to offer supplementary, guideline-compliant therapeutic options alongside traditional medical and pharmacological therapies.
Cara Care® leverages personalized modules to help patients better understand their condition, manage symptoms effectively, and ultimately improve their overall well-being. By addressing the complexities of IBS with tailored therapeutic tools, Cara Care® empowers patients to take control of their health.
A Guideline-Compliant Digital Therapy
IBS affects approximately 11.1% of the population in Germany, posing a significant burden on those affected. Treatment can be challenging due to the complex underlying mechanisms of the condition and the variability in symptom patterns and severity among patients. In addition to pharmacological treatments such as plant-based solutions like Iberogast®, the German S3 guideline recommends a multimodal, multidisciplinary therapeutic model that includes psychological and dietary interventions.
Cara Care® adheres to these guidelines by integrating a multidisciplinary approach to gastrointestinal symptom management. The app combines educational content, dietary guidance, and psychotherapeutic support to provide a holistic solution for IBS patients. Its evidence-based framework empowers patients with personalized therapy plans, helping them navigate their condition more effectively.
Supporting Patients with Innovative Tools
Cara Care® is a valuable addition to healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) arsenal for treating IBS. By incorporating elements of diet and psychology within a biopsychosocial model, the app enables comprehensive care for IBS sufferers. Patients can independently undergo treatment while receiving targeted support, enhancing their ability to manage their condition.
One of the standout features of Cara Care® is its budget-neutral prescription model, ensuring no additional financial burden for patients. “The Cara Care digital health app is another important therapeutic component that enables physicians to provide sustainable, guideline-compliant care for their patients,” says Linda Obermeyr, Senior HCP Marketing Manager at Bayer Vital. “With the app’s support, patients can expand their understanding of IBS, modify their behaviors, and find effective relief, leading to a significantly improved quality of life.”
Personalized, Evidence-Based Therapy
Cara Care® offers a tailored approach to therapy, using medical questionnaires to design individualized treatment plans. Additional features, such as symptom tracking and personalized recipe ideas, support patients throughout their therapeutic journey. The app also addresses psychological comorbidities like anxiety and depression, which are often overlooked in routine clinical care.
The app’s flexibility allows for time- and location-neutral treatment, making it an ideal complement to existing therapies or a standalone follow-up option. By helping patients cope with daily challenges associated with IBS, Cara Care® enhances their overall treatment experience.
“We saw an opportunity to combine a strong, scientifically sound app with our many years of experience in gastroenterology to create added value for patients,” explains Tobias Boldt, Cluster Head Germany & Austria Consumer Health at Bayer Vital. “We aim to make the app even more user-friendly and engaging through training sessions, test accounts, videos, and dialogues with Bayer’s field force.”
Expanding Bayer’s Digital Healthcare Portfolio
Bayer’s acquisition of HiDoc Technologies represents a significant step in its precision health strategy. “IBS is common and highly disruptive, but its complexity means many patients struggle to understand the condition, risk factors, and preventive measures,” says David Evendon-Challis, Head of R&D and Strategic Marketing & Digital for Bayer’s Consumer Health Division. “This milestone enables us to offer a digital tool to help patients better understand, manage, and treat their IBS, giving them greater control over their condition and facilitating meaningful conversations with their HCPs.”
This strategic move not only broadens Bayer’s engagement in digital healthcare but also reinforces its commitment to self-medication and holistic therapeutic approaches. “Many people seek greater self-reliance in healthcare, and digital health applications provide an excellent avenue for sustainable, holistic treatment,” says Jim Mapes, CEO of HiDoc Technologies. “This vision aligns perfectly with Bayer’s mission of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none.’”
By integrating Cara Care® into its portfolio, Bayer continues to innovate in the field of gastroenterology, offering groundbreaking solutions to improve the lives of IBS patients worldwide.
