History
The company began life, as Ultramind, to exploit technology developed by senior staff in the Department of Medical Electronics, St Bartholomew's Hospital (London). At that time the company's activities were focused on the development of 'sensors' and biofeedback devices for use in relaxation training, irritable bowel syndrome, headache and other chronic conditions. The company has, as a result, a broad portfolio of intellectual property and patents in the biofeedback area. A number of products using biofeedback (Relax Plus, IBS Relief, Headache Relief, and Destress) were developed and marketed.
It was during this early period of research that the key formative idea of using computers, more generally, to deliver healthcare (particularly mental healthcare), was developed.
The company has always believed that it is essential to forge relationships with clinical 'centres of excellence' in the UK to ensure development of quality healthcare products. One key relationship with The Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, London began in 1996 and led to the development of Beating the Blues® - a computerised programme of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression.
In 1999 Villiers Plc acquired Ultramind and renamed the company 'Ultrasis'. In 2000 the company was listed on the London stock exchange and acquired Calm Corporation. Calm added to Ultrasis' capabilities with a suite of computerised health assessments, for use in occupational health, and a heart risk assessment, for use in the NHS.
In early 1999 Beating the Blues® was launched and randomised controlled trials were subsequently conducted. The results from the trials were published in 2004, and this information was reviewed by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of their assessment of the effectiveness of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
In 2001 the company developed "on-line" programmes for anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress for its first major US partner - Californian based MHN (the specialist behavioural health subsidiary of HealthNet - one of the US's largest healthcare companies). This suite of programmes was soon followed by a commission from MHN for a web-based programme for alcohol and substance abuse which was delivered in 2002. MHN continues to be Ultrasis' foremost customer in the USA.
During 2002, the company was transformed from its R&D focus into a marketing and sales operation and, subsequently, on Monday 23rd May 2005 Ultrasis moved to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in a move designed to create a better platform for growth at a time when it was anticipated that demand for the company's products would be greater.
Indeed, since 2002 the prescience of the company in focusing on mental healthcare and computer delivery has become overwhelmingly apparent. The burden of mental ill health on the country's healthcare provision and the economy as a whole is increasingly recognised. Stress at work has become an issue of national importance and Ultrasis was quick to develop and launch (in Feb 2005) a Work Related Stress Audit in line with the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive.
The NICE appraisal of Beating the Blues® was eventually formalised in February 2006 in Guidance to the NHS which clearly recommended Beating the Blues® as a treatment option for mild and moderate depression. This conclusion was clearly 'indicated in advance' and resulted in healthy sales growth of the product, and has allowed a marked increase in size of the sales team.