
- PARTNERS
- …
- PARTNERS
- PARTNERS
- …
- PARTNERS
Dr Bechara Saab
CEO & Chief Scientist
"Digital meaures and therapies, using their broadest definition, could one day eclipse pharmacotherapy in both market size and clinical impact."
As CEO of Mobio, I am committed to supporting my team in building digital tools that empower better living and faster healing. We blend science and design with internally developed technology that remotely and objectively measures mind and body data (typically via computer vision enabled psychobiometrics). By partnering with medical and academic institutions around the world, we rigorously interrogate the efficacy of our products through multi-centre randomised controlled trials. Our commitment of using science to ensure our tools work and are tailored to suit each individual means you can trust a Mobio product is the most effective product for you, no matter where you live or who you are. We are pround to several major hospital and telehealth provider clients in several markets across the globe.
Until mid 2017, I was a Principal Investigator of the Zurich Neuroscience Centre where my laboratory at the Psychiatry Hospital focused on understanding molecules and neural circuits that give rise to the motivation to explore. This work was a continuation of a discovery I made in 2009 while completing my PhD at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in the lab of Prof. John Roder. We discovered a molecular link between environmental exploration and spatial learning, and in doing so observed an active role for the hippocampus in motivational behaviour. These results were recently extended by my lab and the labs of others to reveal roles of cortical and subcortical inputs to the hippocampus in novelty-driven exploration, research made possible by recent advancements in optogenetics in the freely behaving animal in combination with wireless electrophysiology, PET and fMRI. Together, this avenue of research has shed light on the mechanisms underscoring the intimate relationships between exploration, efficient learning, and cognitive disease. At the circuit level, the importance of curiosity for healthy living may parallel the beneficial effects of asynchronous and on-demand psychotherapy that Mobio delivers to its customers through the product AmDTx.
Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to science outreach and mentorship. I firmly believe that face-to-face interaction between researchers and students stands to benefit society on many levels. I was instrumental in establishing the Mount Sinai Hospital Outreach Program SciHigh, was Editor-in-Chief of Hypothesis, received the inaugural CIHR Award for Mentorship, represented Switzerland at Famelab and have been an invited speaker seven times to the world's longest-running Science Documentary Film Festival, AFO in the Czech Republic. I am an Overseas Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the Swiss Stress Network, Canadian nominee to the World Economic Forum as a "Future World Leader", Associate Editor at Frontiers in Psychology, an Editor at the Journal of Affective Disorders, and a member of the Society for Digital Mental Health.
As part of my work with Mobio, I thoroughly enjoy speaking at appropriate events of all sizes anywhere on Earth.Selected Speaking Engagements
Halo Talks
Pete Moore and Dr. Saab discuss how to solve mental illness through technology. Dr. Saab explains how MI uses smartphone cameras and technology to diagnose stress, mental illness, and other underlying conditions, and treats those conditions.
StartUp Health
Dr. Saab speaks with Logan Plaster about the modern world of mental health diagnosis and mental healthcare, specifically MI's tool that can objectively quantify a patient’s mental health and deliver clinically validated treatment.
mindX Jobs Ask-Me-Anything
Dr. Saab and Avetis Muradyan, CTO of Mobio Interactive, discuss strategies for tapping into the APAC tech talent pool and practical case studies successfully applied to tech startups.
Asian Institute of Mentoring
Dr. Saab discusses how MI's novel technologies can address the two central problems of psychiatry: scale + subjectivity, in his talk entitled "Addressing the Global Mental Health Crisis with Scalable Precision Psychiatry".
OBI Public Talk
Dr. Saab joins a panel discussion on Tech for Better Health, hosted by the Ontario Brain Institute. The talk explores the world of clinically validated neurotechnologies and helps you navigate through the noise to find the right one for you.
Healthspan Show
Dr. Saab joins a panel to discuss four early-stage companies spanning applications in skincare, nutrition, digital and mental health, including how a collaborative ecosystem helped them overcome roadblocks to success.
Joint SAS-IAAHS Health Conference
The global loss of life and quality of life attributable to mental illness has been increasing and existing approaches cannot meet the demand. Dr. Saab speaks about scalable solutions that leverage the latest technology.
Health Code Conference
Dr. Saab illustrates a solution to the global mental health crisis in his Healthcode Immunity & Mental Health Conference keynote entitled "The two puzzle pieces that solve our mental health crisis."
Transformative Technology Academy Fireside Chat
Dr. Saab and Natalie Yeadon discuss how Mobio Interactive integrates neuroscience into digital therapeutics – from computer vision and AI to clinical validation and regulatory approval.
Eclectic 2022 Masterclass
Dr. Saab reviews human brain imaging studies that illustrate how specific meditation practices influence brain activity, and lead to neuroplasticity that enhances resilience, focus, and creativity, in his masterclass at Eclectic 2022.
Asia Startup Pulse
Dr. Saab interviewed by Ryan Shuken of China Startup Pulse. He explains the science and technology behind AmDTx. Dr. Saab discusses the benefits of using AmDTx as a resource/tool for focus, resilience, creativity, as well as athletic performance.
DMZ x Green Shield Canada
Dr. Saab joins a panel of experts from DMZ, Green Shield Canada, Optimity, and RBC Insurance, in a discussion on how insurers and startups can drive innovation through collaboration. The panel explores partnerships can be mutually beneficial for insurers and startups.
APAC Health, Fitness & Wellness Leadership Summit 2020
Guest address by Dr. Saab discussing how Am blurs the line between mental health therapy and performance enhancement. He explains the computer vision technology and AI that enable Am to objectively measure stress.
APAC Health, Fitness & Wellness Leadership Summit 2020
Guest address by Dr. Saab discussing how Am blurs the line between mental health therapy and performance enhancement. He explains the computer vision technology and AI that enable Am to objectively measure stress.
Other Appearances and Popular Works
HALO Talks Podcast
Pete Moore and Dr. Saab discuss how to solve mental illness through technology. Dr. Saab explains how MI uses smartphone cameras and technology to diagnose stress, mental illness, and other underlying conditions, and treat those conditions by delivering clinically validated psychotherapy programmes on the same platform.
Creating Wellness Moments Podcast
In this deep-dive podcast, Dr. Saab speaks with podcast host, Calvin Wong, on how how MI is changing the way the world approaches mental health treatment and management and the incredible potential for change through MI's technology. Dr. Saab also delves into the exciting future of digital mental health and what it might look like in the coming years.
XNode Podcast
Accessing China's Healthcare Market with Dr. Bechara Saab
In a podcast interview with Diana Lim, Dr. Saab discusses Mobio Interactive's work in providing mental healthcare worldwide using technology, China's healthcare market, and cultural differences that impact access to China's market.
BioTEC Podcast
The future of digital healthcare, Mobio, and the only mindfulness app proven to outperform placebo
Dr. Saab is interviewed by Malak Ali and Judy Xia from BioTEC—Canada's premier student-run conference. He discusses what led him into digital healthcare and explains AmDTx in detail, from its features and computer vision to biometrics and neural networks.
Ruthless Compassion Podcast
How can we Boost Our Curiosity to Improve our Memory and Lift our Mood
Dr. Marcia Sirota interviews Dr. Saab about his background at the Zurich Psychiatric Hospital researching curiosity, which ultimately led to him founding Mobio Interactive to provide effective and accessible healthcare to every human.
The Cao & Chao Show
In this biographical podcast, Dr. Saab speaks to Milo Chao about his background as Principal Investigator of Neuroscience at the Psychiatric Hospital in Zurich and how after fifteen years in academia, he went off to study the effects of mindfulness meditation, resulting in the commercialisation of two mindfulness meditation apps.
Scientific American
Our Ears Can Detect Cancer and Space Weather
Dr. Saab provides insight into sound vs visual neural connections and notes that that the ear can pick out subtle patterns because a mammal's auditory system is faster at transmitting neural signals than most other parts of the brain.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Objective Measures of Mental Wellbeing as Standard Practice in Global Psychiatry
📆 05 May 2025 🕓 13:00 - 14:00
📍 The Neuro Summit in Lisbon, Portugal
[Houston Brain Economy] Brain Capital: The New Competitive Advantage in a Shifting Economy
📆 21 May 2025 🕓 13:00 - 14:00
📍 Houston, Texas
[Precision Medicine and AI Innovations] Scalable precision psychiatry with an objective measure of psychological stress: Prospective real world study
📆 26 May 2025 🕓 TBC
📍 Zurich, Switzerland
[Symposium CCN 2025] From beliefs to neurobiology: exploring the acceptability and effects of mindfulness-based interventions for mild traumatic brain injury recovery
📆 June 2025 🕓 TBC
📍 TBC
Previous Speaking Engagements
The Latest AI Technologies Measuring Mental Health
📆 30 Oct 2024
📍 Corferias, Bogotá, Colombia
Investing in Mental Health Solutions in Emerging Markets
📆 16 May 2024 🕓 20:00 - 21:00
📍 Virtual
Digital Medicine Mental Health: From Collaboration to Implementation
📆 06 Mar 2024 🕓 09:00 - 13:00
📍 Shaw Foundation Alumni House Singapore
Exploring OBI's Mental Health Challenges and Opportunities for the Canadian and Israel Market
📆 16 Jan 2024 🕓 17:00 - 18:30
📍 Virtual
[DTx Asia] The Role of Government in Facilitating Growth and Innovation in the Digital Therapeutics Industry
📆 29-30 Nov 2023
📍 Fairmont Singapore
[DTx Asia] Placing Digital Therapeutics in the Hands of Healthcare Providers and Patients: How Do We Do It?
📆 29-30 Nov 2023
📍 Fairmont Singapore
[Brain Capital Innovation Summit] Mobio Interactive Presentation
📆 26-28 Jun 2023
📍 Santa Clara University
[mindX Jobs] Tapping into the APAC Talent Pool - Unlocking Success for a Winning Tech Team
📆 24 Jun 2023 🕓 20:00 - 20:30
[MedTech Innovator APAC] How can Asian medtech startups better prepare to go global?
📆 13 Apr 2023 🕓 16:45 - 17:30
📍 Centre for Healthcare Innovation Singapore
[Preventative Healthcare] Mental Health: Solve Mental Health Care's Biggest Barrier with Technology
📆 27 Mar 2023 🕓 14:00 - 17:30
📍 Singapore
Lunch and Learn: Mindfulness and Concussion with Dr. Andrée-Anne Ledoux (Scientist, CHEO) and Dr. Bechara Saab (CEO & Chief Scientist, Mobio Interactive)
📆 09 Mar 2023 🕓 01:00 - 02:00
📍 Virtual
Addressing the Global Mental Health Crisis with Scalable Precision Psychiatry
📆 01 Feb 2023 🕓 13:00 - 14:00
📍 Virtual
[DTx Asia] A Time for Change: How Does the Industry Plan to Successfully Integrate DTx into Healthcare?
📆 09 Nov 2022 🕓 08:35 - 09:35
📍 Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
[DTx Asia] Investor Perspectives: Exploring APAC Funding Opportunities and Current Market Dynamics
📆 08 Nov 2022 🕓 16:00 - 17:00
📍 Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
[IPI x Singapore Health Technologies Consortium] Early Insights from the Integration of a Digital Psychotherapy Support Tool into the Patients' Journeys of a Major Mental Health Hospital
📆 07 Jul 2022 🕓 14:40 - 14:55
📍 NTU@one-north Singapore
[Eclectic 2022] Firing up Mindfulness - What Neuroscience has Taught Us
📆 18 Jun 2022 🕓 03:15 - 04:45
📍 The Metaverse
[2022 World Health, Fitness & Wellness Festival] How we can improve mental health and wellbeing by leveraging new concepts, platforms and technologies
📆 15 Jun 2022 🕓 16:00 - 17:00
📍 Raffles City Convention Centre Singapore
[SOSV Founders & Friends] Health & Wellbeing in the post-pandemic era
📆 28-29 Apr 2022 🕓 22:45 - 00:15
📍 Virtual
[Healthcode Immunity & Mental Health Conference] The two puzzle pieces that solve our mental health crisis
📆 05 Oct 2021 🕓 21:00 - 13:00
📍 Virtual
[OBI Public Talks] Wellness Series: Tech for Better Health
📆 27 Sep 2021 🕓 06:00 - 07:00
📍 Virtual
[Joint SAS-IAAHS Health Conference] Real World Data from Policyholders using a Clinical Validated Digital Therapeutic for Stress Resilience
📆 21 Sep 2021 🕓 16:45 - 17:40
📍 Virtual
[Healthspan Show] Start-up CEOs: Overcoming the roadblocks to success
📆 14 May 2021 🕓 19:45 - 21:00
📍 Virtual
[Primary Care Grand Conference 2021] AmDTx: A clinically validated digital therapeutic to improve human performance and treat mental illness
📆 24 Jan 2021 🕓 18:05 - 18:15
📍 Virtual
[Phar-East] The Future of Rx + DTx
📆 09 Dec 2020 🕓 13:45 - 15:30
📍 Biotech Invest Theatre Singapore
[DMZ x Green Shield Canada] Partnering for success: How Insurers and Startups can drive innovation through collaboration
📆 26 Nov 2020 🕓 00:45 - 02:00
📍 Virtual
[2020 Asia-Pacific Health, Fitness & Wellness Leadership Summit] The Future of Technology & Consumer Engagement
📆 17 June 2020 🕓 16:00 - 17:30
📍 Virtual
[Transformative Technology Conference] Fireside Chat with Bechara Saab from Mobio Interactive
📆 22 May 2020 🕓 01:00 - 02:00
📍 Virtual
[DTx Europe] Health Insurers as Distribution Partners for Digital Therapeutics in Europe
📆 18 Jun 2019
📍 London, UK
[DTx Europe] Health Insurers as Distribution Partners for Digital Therapeutics in Europe
📆 18 Jun 2019
📍 London, UK
[Academia Film Olomouc] Public Speaking for Scientists
📆 23 Apr 2019
📍 Olomouc, Czech Republic
[Federation of the Asian and Oceanian Physiological Societies] Addressing Therapeutic Challenges in Neuroscience with Digiceuticals
📆 30 Mar 2019 🕓 09:00 - 11:00
📍 Kobe Convention Center
[Phar-East] Business Models for Digital Therapeutic Companies
📆 19 Mar 2019 🕓 15:00 - 15:40
📍 Resorts World Singapore
[Astellas Androgen Expert Board Meeting] How and When to Apply Digital Therapeutics for Cancer
📆 22 Feb 2019 🕓 10:00 - 10:03
📍 Zurich, Switzerland
[TechCrunch] Mobio Interactive Makes Software for Soft Tissue
📆 02 Jul 2018 🕓 10:30 - 11:00
📍 Yunqi Town International Convention and Exhibition Center Hangzhou
[Infinity Ventures Summit] A New App for Mobile Mindfulness in Taiwan
📆 17 Jun 2018 🕓 09:00 - 10:0
📍 Taipei, Taiwan
[Yicai Brilliant 10 2018 Award Ceremony] The Biggest Healthcare Revolution Since Antibiotics
📆 17 May 2018 🕓 15:00 - 16:00
📍 Shanghai, China
[Academia Film Olomouc] Digiceuticals: Disrupting How We Treat Disease
📆 24 Apr 2018 🕓 10:00 - 11:00
📍 Olomouc, Czech Republic
[Money 20/20 Asia] Healthcare in Your Hand
📆 01 Mar 2018 🕓 17:00 - 17:30
📍 Virtual
[Life Science Zurich Impact - Translational Medicine] A Mindful Translation of Digital Therapeutics
📆 28 Jan 2018 🕓 10:00 - 11:00
📍 Zurich, Switzerland
[Health Quality Council of Alberta] Mindfulness for Alberta & Unique Insights on Patient Wellbeing
📆 07 Nov 2017 🕓 15:00 - 16:00
📍 Calgary, Alberta
[SLUSH Shanghai] Industry-Academia Partnership in App Development
📆 27 Oct 2017 🕓 14:00 - 15:30
📍 Shanghai, China
[doTERRA] Partnerships to Improve the Quality of Life Mindfulness, Mobile Psychobiometrics & Augmented Reality
📆 18 Oct 2017 🕓 14:00 - 17:00
📍 Shanghai, China
[University of Zurich Psychiatric Hospital] The Efficacy (or lack thereof) of Delivering Mindfulness Training through Mobile Gaming and Virtual Reality
📆 26 Oct 2016 🕓 10:00 - 11:00
📍 Zurich Psychiatric Hospital
[Zurich Lion’s Club] Mobile Mindfulness Meditation
📆 10 Oct 2016 🕓 14:00 - 15:00
📍 Zurich, Switzerland
Effective and accessible healthcare for every human.