Our Precision Digital Therapeutics (DTx) Summer School 2025 is well underway, bringing together 42 selected participants from across the globe for an intensive week of innovation, collaboration, and learning in Zurich.

The programme opened with a warm welcome at Frau Gerolds Garten, where participants and faculty connected in an inspiring atmosphere that set the stage for the days ahead. This spirit of exchange and collaboration carried into the classroom as the Summer School officially began.

Day 1: From Concepts to Challenges

The first day, themed Prepare!, started with opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Claudia M. Witt, Prof. Dr. Tobias Kowatsch, and Dr. Marcia Nißen, followed by a keynote on the foundations of precision digital therapeutics. Interdisciplinary teams then formed to address pressing challenges in the Swiss healthcare system, guided by insights from leading experts including Prof. Dr. Andrew Hall, Prof. Dr. Rahel Naef, Prof. Dr. Brigitte Leeners, Kurt Birchler, Prof. Dr. Birgit Kleim, Samantha Weber, PhD, Andrea Häfliger, Prof. Dr. med. Aju Pazhenkottil, Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel, Esther Brill, PhD, Prof. Dr. Carolin Lerchenmüller, and Dr. Maximilian Bley.

In the afternoon, a hands-on workshop equipped participants with frameworks for designing conceptual DTx models. The day concluded with each team presenting their first concepts—an impressive achievement within just a few hours of collaboration.

Day 2: From Models to Prototypes

Building on this foundation, the second day focused on optimization and prototyping. Following a keynote by Dr. Marcia Nißen on DTx optimization methods, participants took part in a practical workshop led by Alexandre de Montleau, transforming their Day 1 concepts into initial prototypes using the PRECIOUS Precision DTx Design & Trial Service.

The day also explored forward-looking directions for digital therapeutics, including model context protocols, LLM-based motivational interviewing for behaviour change, a nutrition and glucose MCP server, a precision media generator MCP server, and a universal linking feature for DTx integration.

Participants then experienced live demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions such as a holographic physiocoach and the gamified breathing interventions BREEZE and BREEZE-VR, facilitated by Tobias Budig, Lola Jo Ackermann, and Helen Galliker.

The day concluded with a summer barbecue, providing a welcome opportunity to reflect, recharge, and strengthen connections within this vibrant community.

Looking Ahead

With three more days to go, the Summer School continues to foster creativity, practical skills, and interdisciplinary exchange. Under the leadership of Dr. Marcia Nißen and Prof. Dr. Tobias Kowatsch, and with the support of Alexandre de Montleau, Tobias Budig, Amira Anna Widmer, Felix Moser, and Qiuhan “Jo” Jin, participants are well on their way to designing and testing innovative solutions that may shape the future of precision digital therapeutics.