A Centralized Clinical Research Tool for Accelerating the Development, Evaluation, and Dissemination of Expert-Developed, Evidence-Based, and AI-Enhanced Digital Mental Health Therapies - Mental health burden in the US is substantial [1-3], with millions of people not receiving timely and effective mental health care [4-6]. Although digital mental health technologies hold great promise [7-9], widespread adoption has faced significant challenges, including the costs of developing therapy apps, complex regulatory requirements, fragmented adoption, and uncertainty among providers and patients [10-12]. Colliga addresses these challenges through a centralized platform that supports the efficient development, testing, and dissemination of evidence-based, AI-based mental health apps. Colliga provides a technological ecosystem where scientists, providers, and patients can work together. Colliga's integrated platform enables scientists to develop, test, and publish custom AI-based mental health apps on the Apple App and Google Play stores using a point-and-click web tool. Providers and patients benefit from scientifically validated mental health apps that support clinical decision-making and expand treatment options. Our parent Fast-Track SBIR award (R44MH123368; Ahle, Timmons, Comer) funded development of the platform system, adaptive AI sensing technology, and a proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial of the TIES Parenting Toolkit Program, an intervention for children ages 6-9 years and their caregivers. Preliminary findings support further expansion of the platform through collaborations with research partners to develop additional programs across multiple mental health domains. Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program funding is needed to advance this technology from research and development to commercial readiness by strengthening the technological infrastructure required to ensure reliability and security for clinical deployment at scale (Aim 1), implementing feature improvements needed to support clinical usability, adoption, and engagement (Aim 2), and advancing commercialization and regulatory activities in key domains (Aim 3). These activities will position Colliga as a scalable digital mental health platform capable of supporting implementation while meeting clinical standards for deployment. Our approach combines user-friendly development tools, secure infrastructure, and customizable AI technology to support the development and dissemination of evidence-based digital mental health interventions. By streamlining the pathway from research to clinical application, Colliga facilitates movement of scientific advances into practice and supports the use of research-supported interventions in real-world settings.
