Q2i is a digital health company that develops technology designed to improve treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). OARS technology is utilized by Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program providers, an approach that combines medication (i.e. methadone and buprenorphine) with counseling and behavioral therapies to reduce and treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The application developed by Q2i features a healthcare team portal along with a patient mobile application that allows providers to examine real time reporting and analytics with individual patient performance. Together, these features help support a secure patient/provider connection and improve adherence to treatment plans. On February 25, 2021 Q2i announced that the National Institutes of Health had approved for their OARS software to proceed to a Phase II clinical trial. Representing UCLA as Q2i’s academic partner, our very own Dr. Shoptaw and Dr. Mariah Kalmin currently lead the research team on this project and emphasize the importance of this type of technology in supporting OUD patients seeking treatment. Q2i CEO Steven Jenkins also highlights the importance of such software platforms in connecting patients and providers especially given the rise of remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic. To read more about the current progress of this application and feedback from study sites that participated in the previous phase of the clinical trial click here.