TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 37 37 t m c » p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 what's challenging in delivering high quality care is visits, but in our case, in this model, we're able to deliver way more care in terms of hours than would normally be possible in a visit-based health care setting," Ranta said. "In a visit-based health care setting, you would only see your provider once a week, or maybe once every two weeks, so it's episodic. But in our case, it's like daily interaction. It may be small interactions, but it's very engaging, very in-the-moment with your daily life and events and whatever hap- pens when you're a patient going through the program. That's why we're able to get such high comple- tion rates and help people actually get better." A paper analyzing the com- pany's 12-month post-treatment outcomes, which is currently in peer review, shows somewhere between 5 to 10 times better outcomes for treating depression and anxiety than normal standard of care, Ranta added. "The important point is that we are actually spending less provider time, too" he said. "People are doing the work themselves—that's the beauty of combining the app with the providers. The providers spend somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes per patient per week, which is way less than they would spend in structured psychotherapy. … So it's kind of a cool thing how technology allows for the implementation of new types of care processes." Meru Health recently secured more than $4 million in financ- ing from Freestyle Capital, Bonit Capital, Y Combinator, Lifeline Ventures and IT-Farm. This funding will help the company gather additional data through their pilot programs and publish more case studies and clinical research—all of which will support future growth and open up a world of therapy to any patient with a smartphone. Currently, the company's platform is available to patients via corporate partnerships, large health plans and managed care companies. Primary care providers also have expressed interest, Ranta said, and Meru Health is seeking ways to collaborate with primary care networks, primary care clinics and accountable care organizations. Ranta hopes the service ultimately will be offered directly to consumers because, as he well knows, the battle with depression and anxiety is hard enough—gaining access to help shouldn't be. "Meru is a summit in the Himalayas, and it was the last sum- mit that was conquered," Ranta said, explaining his company's name. "In 2011, a group of climbers conquered the peak, and it was a really, really big deal ... and it was super difficult. It's kind of like a symbol for depres- sion and conquering one's mind. It's going to be super difficult, but it's doable, and with the right team, with help and support, it's doable." B efore Kristian Ranta founded Meru Health, he spent nearly a decade as a member of the Finnish death metal band Norther. Known by the nickname "Kride," the now-CEO sang vocals and played guitar. He and his band grew famous in Finland and beyond, playing sold-out shows across Europe, Asia and Canada after a label manager serendipitously picked up a demo they'd left on a table in a rehearsal studio. "It was so crazy," Ranta recalled. "Most bands try demo after demo and they don't get a record deal. We never sent our demo anywhere." Ranta thinks back on those days fondly, saying his best mem- ories are hanging out with his bandmates in the van, going to and from their shows. During his time with Norther, he completed his university studies and founded his first company. Although the band is no longer together, some of his bandmates have moved on to ambitious careers—including one who is a physicist and another who just completed his Ph.D. in music therapy with a focus on stroke rehabilitation. As for Ranta, all those years on stage have helped inform his role as founder and CEO of Meru Health. "It was a huge help to learn to be natural in front of an audi- ence," Ranta said. "In the early years, I was pretty nervous in front of the public when we would perform, but eventually you get used to it and then actually really love it. … That's definitely been very beneficial for my current career as an entrepreneur." The band was also like a small company, Ranta added, with management and different members having varying responsibili- ties—all necessary components for the whole to be successful. "In a way," he said, "it was kind of like my first startup." Before founding Meru Health, Ranta, far right, was a member of the Finnish death metal band Norther. Death Metal Musician to CEO

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