Rebecca Price, associate professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Clinical and Translational Science, is at the forefront of innovation in mental health treatment. As a member of the inaugural Pitt EI3 (Equitable, Inclusive, Innovation, and Incubation) Fellowship class, Price's journey from academia to entrepreneurship showcases the transformative potential of this unique program.
A Catalyst for Change
“As a female Associate Professor of Psychiatry who studies novel, brain-based interventions for depression, anxiety, and suicidality, I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur,” Price admits. But her groundbreaking research into rapid-acting antidepressant treatments presented a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference.
“When my clinical research led to a novel treatment approach with the potential to rapidly reduce depression in a scalable fashion, I received a tremendous outpouring from patients, their families, and clinical providers,” Price said. This response encouraged her to bridge the gap between the lab and real-world clinical settings.
As she mulled the challenges of innovation commercialization, ranging from lack of mentorship to limited time, Price learned of the new EI3 Fellowship and applied. She said she was thrilled to be selected and looked forward to dedicating a year to honing her entrepreneurial skills and accelerating her efforts to deliver innovative treatments to those in need.
Aligning Innovation with Impact
Depression is the leading cause of disability globally, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. While therapies exist, they are often slow to act, with limited remission rates. Dr. Price’s work focuses on integrating digital tools with rapid-acting antidepressants to amplify their efficacy. “In our research to date, we have found that deploying digital tools to augment rapid-acting antidepressant medications can very efficiently make an order of magnitude improvement in the antidepressant impact for patients,” she explains.
The fellowship has been instrumental in advancing this vision. By offering time, mentorship, and a supportive network, the program has empowered Price to collaborate effectively with commercial partners, refine her entrepreneurial skills, and work to ensure her scientific advances reach patients.
Professional and Personal Growth
One of the fellowship’s most significant benefits has been the sense of community it fosters. “The first and most important thing that I’ve gained is a cohort of like-minded Pitt faculty whose identities and backgrounds are less widely represented within entrepreneurship,” Price notes. This camaraderie has solidified her identity as both a researcher and an entrepreneur.
The fellowship's educational programming, encompassing practical skills and strategic decision-making, has also been transformative. “I have learned so much I didn’t know before about how to both ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’ in conversations with prospective commercial partners,” she says. This newfound confidence has empowered her to navigate complex commercialization pathways with a more discerning and informed perspective.
Tangible Progress
Price’s achievements during the fellowship are remarkable. She has been named as the inventor on an international patent application for her novel treatment, now under review in multiple countries. She has also secured an industry-sponsored research grant to conduct clinical trials pairing her digital tools with a new investigational medication.
In parallel, Price has collaborated with start-ups and small businesses to pursue developing a commercial-grade app that delivers her digital therapeutic tools. This app aims to enhance accessibility for patients while integrating seamlessly into the workflows of healthcare providers. “All of this progress has been made possible thanks to the protected time I have had available this year to devote to these activities,” she acknowledges.
Looking Ahead
As Price anticipates future endeavors, she is eager to explore non-profit models, a subject she admits remains mysterious. “Non-profits in particular are something I feel drawn towards,” she says, adding that upcoming fellowship programming on the topic will help deepen her understanding.
In the long term, Price envisions integrating entrepreneurship into all her research endeavors. “It’s now clear to me that the ultimate goals of science and of entrepreneurship are often much more similar than they are different,” she reflects. Her aim is to ensure that her work paves the way for solutions that are scalable, impactful, and meet the urgent needs of those struggling with mental health challenges.
A Vision for Impact
Rebecca Price’s story exemplifies the transformative power of the PittEI3 Fellowship. By bridging the gap between research and real-world application, she is not only advancing the field of mental health treatment but also redefining what it means to be an innovator in academia. Her journey is a testament to the impact of mentorship, community, and determination in driving meaningful change.
Through her work, Price is proving that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating solutions that change lives. As she continues her journey, the foundation laid by the PittEI3 Fellowship will undoubtedly fuel her mission to bring hope and healing to millions.
Learn more about the inaugural Pitt EI3 Fellows cohort.