Introduction and Background
Addiction continues to pose one of the greatest challenges to global public health—impacting individuals, families, and communities across every region of the world. Despite growing awareness and scientific advances, there remains a significant gap in the availability of effective, scalable, and culturally responsive therapeutic solutions. Innovative approaches to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term support of people with substance use and addictive disorders are therefore basically required.
As a response to this need, the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) has launched a new initiative to actively engage diverse sectors in shaping the future of addiction care. The Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID) is a dynamic new platform that aims to connect key stakeholders from across disciplines and sectors—bringing together academia, healthcare providers, regulatory bodies, funders, innovators, and community leaders—to catalyze breakthrough ideas and collaborations in addiction therapeutics.
International Society of Addiction Medicine, for the upcoming year, is hosting the second Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation day on September 30th, 2026 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This full-day pre-conference event will bring together local, national and multinational organizations at the forefront of addiction treatment and diagnostics. The event aims to foster networking and collaboration between academia, the health sector, regulatory bodies, funding agencies, investors, industry leaders, and communities. For more information on the event, please visit our website at: https://isamweb.org/global-therapeutic-innovation-day/
In alignment with ISAM’s mission of fostering innovation and collaboration, we are introducing the “Innovation Award Theme” for individuals, teams and companies to present their innovative idea in addiction therapeutics and diagnostics.
ISAM Innovation Award 2025
For the first time, the ISAM Innovation Award was launched as part of the Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID) at the ISAM 2025 Annual Congress. This first-of-its-kind award recognized early-stage and impactful innovations in addiction diagnostics and therapeutics from scientists, startups, clinicians, and healthcare innovators around the globe. ISAM 2025 awardees flyer: Innovation awardees flyer 2025-2026
Below are the full list of finalists — including our four award recipients — from eight countries presented their work in-person at the GATID 2025:
Gold Innovation Award:
Thordis Roegn Jonsdottir
Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Bati: An Icelandic Mobile Application for Supporting Individuals with SUD (https://rekovy.com/ )
Silver Innovation Award:
Hannah Thurgur
PsilOpioid: A proof of concept randomised controlled trial to investigate psilocybin therapy and brain reward mechanisms in opioid use disorder (OUD)
Bronze Innovation Award:
Christoph Brosius
RADIUS web App for Alcohol Use Disorders (https://circumradius.de/ )
Special Recognition Award (“People’s Choice”):
Tony Ma
SAFE4BOTH (https://www.bententech.com/ )
The following finalists also presented their innovations at GATID 2025, representing diverse and impactful approaches to the future of addiction care:
- Gregory Bunt & Carol Weiss
Harnessing Voice Recognition Software to Screen for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- James Ingram
Empowering Communities, Saving Lives: A Digital Ecosystem for Overdose Prevention and Intervention
- Garrett McGovern
Using Telemedicine to Abolish OST Waiting Times in a Rural Setting in Ireland
- Vania Rudolf
Innovative Pathway for Harm Reduction, Stabilization with Methadone High-Dose and 72-Hour Dispensing for People Who Use Fentanyl
- Gangliang Zhong
Cognition-Guided Neurofeedback Treatment for Addiction
The Innovation Award was made possible through a combination of internal ISAM support, external sponsorship, and volunteer efforts from the global addiction science community. This collaborative energy is precisely what ISAM hopes to foster long-term.
Looking Ahead: ISAM Innovation Award 2026
Call for Submissions – ISAM Innovation Award 2026
It is time to start to work on a breakthrough idea in addiction therapeutics or diagnostics and present your efforts at the next Innovation day!
We invite researchers, clinicians, startups, and innovators from across the globe to apply for the ISAM Innovation Award 2026, part of the second Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID) on September 30, 2026, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This is your chance to showcase your innovation on a global stage, connect with international leaders in the field, and compete for prestigious awards and recognition.
Application Process
– Who Can Apply?
Startups, small companies, research teams and individuals innovating in the field of addiction therapeutics and diagnostics.
– Submission Requirements:
Submit an abstract (up to 400 words and up to two figures) to innovation@isamweb.org in an email titled as “Innovation Award Submission”.
Abstracts should be structured in the following sections:
- Problem: The problem being addressed.
- Approach: The innovation’s unique approach in details.
- Outcome: Impact on innovations in addiction therapeutics.
- Progress: Stage of development.
– Themes and Categories:
Submissions should align with the event’s focus areas, which include:
- Digital Health and Telemedicine (i.e. Teletherapy & telemedicine, Apps for recovery support, Wearable technology, AI-driven Chatbots)
- Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Innovations (i.e. Long-acting medications, Drug delivery systems, Novel opioid withdrawal treatment, Take-home Naloxone, Personalized Pharmacotherapy)
- Biotechnology and Neuroscience Innovations (i.e. Neurostimulation Devices, Neurofeedback, Genetic & epigenetic research)
- Behavioral and Psychosocial Innovation (i.e. CBT integration with AI, Mindfulness & meditation apps, Peer-support networks)
- Virtual Reality, VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) (i.e. VR exposure therapy, AR for skill training)
- Blockchain for Patient Data (i.e. Secure Medical Records, Smart Contracts for Treatment Compliance, Blockchain for Addiction Recovery)
- Cultural and Social Innovation (i.e. Localized Recovery Models, Community-Based Recovery, Public Health & Regulatory Intersections for Addictions, Selecting Preventive Interventions)
- Behavioral Economics & Incentive-Based Treatment (i.e. Contingency Management Programs, Cryptocurrency-Based Rewards)
- Integrated Care Models (i.e. Collaborative care platforms, Family support tools, Promoting effective referrals for addiction treatment)
- Workforce and Training Innovations (i.e. Virtual Training for Healthcare Providers, Certification and Education Platforms)
- Other (please specify)
Evaluation Criteria and Voting System
Initial screening of the abstracts and secondary screening of video recordings would be done by ISAM board members with the ISAM president as the head of the committee based on the following criteria: (1) relevance to addiction therapeutics, (2) originality, (3) feasibility, (4) potential impact,(5) cost-benefit in a scoring system of 0-20 for each criteria.
*** In-person attendance is required for finalists to present their flash talks. ***
Top 10 ideas with the highest accumulated scores would be finalists (award candidates) and will present their ideas in-person in Rotterdam on September 30th in 3 minutes scientific pitch flash talks followed by a brief Q & A session based on finalists instructions.
There will be an online voting system for the finalists during the presentation session by audiences. For more transparency, voting criteria will be announced beforehands to the attendees before the event and live voting results will be displayed in real-time during the designated session.
Awards
First Place: Golden Innovation Statue and $500
Second Place: Silver Innovation Statue and $300
Third Place: Bronze Innovation Statue and $200
Award candidates will receive free registration to innovation day. There will not be any other travel support.
Additional Opportunities: Introduction to venture capitalists, grant opportunities, and research funding partners.
Recognition: Winners will be featured in ISAM’s newsletter, website, and social media channels.
Timeline for 2026
Abstract Submission Opens: 1 March 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: 31 March, 2026
Initial Screening Results (award candidates/finalists): April 15, 2026
Submission of 3 Minutes Recorded Video: April 28, 2025
Final Competition (in person talks): September 30th, 2025
Sample Abstract 1 (hypothetically generated):
Title: Blockchain-Based Recovery Support Platform in Zootopia
Team: George Smith (presenting author, email: Smith@zootopia.edu) and Ziad Hossein (email: Hossein@zootopia.edu)
Affiliations: Zootopia National University
Problem:
Recovery from addiction requires secure, coordinated, and transparent systems to manage patient data, ensure treatment adherence, and foster trust among stakeholders. Existing platforms often face challenges related to privacy, data breaches, and limited accessibility.
Approach:
We present a blockchain-powered recovery support platform designed to provide a secure and decentralized ecosystem for managing patient data and incentivizing recovery behaviors. Key features include:
- Secure Data Storage: Blockchain ensures tamper-proof medical records accessible only through smart contracts, protecting patient privacy.
- Smart Contracts: These automate treatment milestones, triggering contingency management rewards such as vouchers or cryptocurrency.
- Peer Network Integration: Patients can anonymously connect with peer supporters and clinicians through encrypted channels.
The platform also integrates with wearable devices to track treatment compliance and progress in real-time, ensuring data accuracy and timely interventions.
Outcome:
A beta version of the platform has been tested with 500 patients and 20 clinics across Zootopia. Results show a 25% improvement in treatment adherence and an 18% increase in sustained recovery outcomes. The decentralized structure also significantly reduces administrative costs for clinics while enhancing patient engagement.
Progress:
The platform is currently at the pilot implementation stage, with plans to expand its reach to additional regions and healthcare providers. A robust partnership network has been established with addiction recovery organizations, ensuring a comprehensive rollout by the end of 2025.
Sample Abstract 2 (hypothetically generated):
Title: AI-Driven Personalized Pharmacotherapy for Addiction Treatment
Team: George Smith (presenting author, email: Smith@zootopia.edu) and Ziad Hossein (email: Hossein@zootopia.edu)
Affiliations: Zootopia National University
Problem:
Addiction treatment often involves trial-and-error approaches to pharmacotherapy, leading to suboptimal outcomes and prolonged patient suffering. Individual variability in genetic, metabolic, and behavioral factors further complicates the effectiveness of existing medications.
Approach:
We have developed an AI-driven platform that combines genetic, epigenetic, and behavioral data to create personalized pharmacotherapy plans for individuals with substance use disorders. The platform utilizes a machine-learning model trained on a dataset of over 10,000 cases, incorporating patient-specific factors such as genetic polymorphisms (e.g., CYP450 variations), comorbid conditions, and substance use history.
Based on these inputs, the platform recommends optimal medications, dosages, and treatment schedules tailored to the patient’s unique profile. For instance, it predicts the likelihood of success for naltrexone versus buprenorphine in opioid use disorder or adjusts dosing strategies for patients with high metabolic clearance rates. The platform also monitors treatment progress in real-time via patient-reported outcomes and wearable device data, enabling dynamic adjustments to the therapeutic plan.
Outcome:
In a recent clinical trial with 500 patients, the platform significantly improved treatment outcomes:
- 40% reduction in relapse rates compared to standard care.
- Enhanced medication adherence due to optimized dosing schedules and minimized side effects.
- High patient and clinician satisfaction scores, with 90% of users reporting confidence in the recommendations.
Progress:
The platform has completed Phase II clinical trials and is now in collaboration with regulatory bodies to achieve certification as a medical device. Partnerships with three leading addiction treatment centers are in place for large-scale implementation studies. Commercial availability is projected for early 2026, with a focus on scaling to underserved populations globally.
