Skip to main content

Wayside Recovery Center Receives Grant from the State of Minnesota and Proof Alliance to Provide Digital Therapeutics for Pregnant and Parenting Women

Innovative program offer additional support to women seeking to address depression and prenatal alcohol exposure.

MINNEAPOLIS, January 17, 2023—Today, Wayside Recovery Center, a provider of comprehensive care for women experiencing addiction and trauma in the Twin Cities, announced a collaboration with Orexo US, a pharmaceutical and digital therapeutics company, to provide digital therapeutics that support pregnant and parenting women in addressing depression and prenatal alcohol exposure. Through a pilot program funded by a grant sponsored by the state of Minnesota and granted through Proof Alliance, a national leader in preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and improving outcomes for people impacted by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), Wayside Recovery Center will be offering Deprexis® and Vorvida®. These web-based programs use proven cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help people make behavior and lifestyle changes.

“Our work is to support pregnant and parenting women and their families affected by depression and substance use disorder to ensure they have all the tools they need to stabilize and thrive,” said Teresa Evans, interim CEO of Wayside Recovery Center. “We are thrilled to partner with Orexo US to offer this pilot program to help women and their families succeed on their journey to wellness and recovery.”

Perinatal depression affects 10% to 20% of women in the United States during pregnancy or the postpartum period, but it can be difficult to recognize. Additionally, 1 in 10 pregnant women report alcohol use, which can harm fetal development.

“We are delighted to be able to support Wayside Recovery Center in making an impact in the lives of moms-to-be and their babies,” said Mollie O’Brien, executive director of Proof Alliance. “We all want healthy babies, and this grant will help Wayside Recovery Center and Orexo US play a critical part in preventing FASD by supporting alcohol-free pregnancies.”

Deprexis® is a web application for the supplemental treatment of depression or depressive disorders for patients who are experiencing a depressive episode. It is a 12-week online program that can help people create more positive thoughts and behaviors. The program adapts to the responses of users, providing a personalized experience that complements other depression therapies. Similarly, Vorvida® is a private and personalized online program to reduce drinking. It is a 24-week digital program that helps people identify triggers, break negative behaviors and develop healthier responses. As people interact with the program, it adapts to habits, challenges and personal goals to provide an individualized experience.

“This pilot program will make a profound and positive change for families in Minneapolis,” said Robert A. DeLuca, president, Orexo US. “Deprexis® and Vorvida® have been validated by rigorous clinical studies and utilize well-established techniques based in medical science to support patients.”

For more information about Wayside Recovery Center, please visit www.waysiderecovery.org. More information about Deprexis® and Vorvida® can be found at us.deprexis.com and us.vorvida.com.

About Wayside Recovery Center

For over 69 years, Wayside Recovery Center has improved the lives of nearly 40,000 women and 7,000 children in Minnesota impacted by trauma and addiction. With three gender-specific treatment locations in the Twin Cities, Wayside offers complete, holistic care for every stage of the recovery journey – from prevention to treatment to long-term recovery. Wayside was the first in Minnesota and now one of only four treatment facilities in the state to offer family residential treatment, welcoming pregnant women and women with young children. Visit www.waysiderecovery.org to learn more.

About Proof Alliance

Proof Alliance has been delivering awareness and education to pregnant individuals, and hands-on hope to those living with FASD since 1998. The proof is unchallenged; prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to lifelong physical and mental disabilities. We at Proof Alliance are undaunted in our mission to help these individuals and their families thrive. We partner, collaborate and advocate for greater funding of services, further development of awareness, and an FASD-free future.  We are proof that better is possible. For more information, visit www.proofalliance.org.

About Orexo Orexo develops improved pharmaceuticals and digital therapies addressing unmet needs within the growing space of substance use disorders and mental health. The products are commercialized by Orexo in the US or via partners worldwide. The main market today is the American market for buprenorphine/naloxone products, where Orexo commercializes its lead product ZUBSOLV® for treatment of opioid use disorder. Total net sales for 2021 amounted to SEK 565 million and the number of employees was 121. Orexo is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap (ORX) and is available as ADRs on OTCQX (ORXOY) in the US. The company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, where research and development activities are performed. For more information about Orexo please visit, www.orexo.com. You can also follow Orexo on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.