Ultrasis
Ultrasis was a United Kingdom healthcare company that developed computerized cognitive behavioural therapy products for depression, anxiety, stress and related wellbeing needs.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Ultrasis was a United Kingdom healthcare company focused on computerized healthcare and mental-wellbeing products based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Its principal commercial offering was Beating the Blues, a digital treatment programme for depression that became the company's best-known product and was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment option for some people with mild or moderate depression. The business originated with Ultramind, a healthcare company established by Tuvi Orbach to develop computer applications intended to help people improve their wellbeing. In 1999, Villiers Plc acquired Ultramind and renamed the business Ultrasis. The resulting company developed and marketed software addressing stress, anxiety and depression, positioning itself at the intersection of healthcare delivery, psychological treatment and digital technology. Ultrasis primarily served institutional and public-sector customers rather than operating as a conventional consumer health brand. Its customers included Primary Care Trusts in England and Kent County Council. A Kent County Council order for a digital support programme was associated with an increase in the company's share price in 2005. Beating the Blues later became the central contributor to the company's revenues; in 2009, when Ultrasis reported its first pre-tax profit, the programme accounted for approximately 90 percent of revenue according to the company's reported account in the reference material. The company's prospects were closely tied to public healthcare procurement and policy. Ultrasis provided written evidence to the United Kingdom government's Health Committee in October 2010. Subsequent uncertainty surrounding National Health Service reforms contributed to weaker UK revenues, prompting the company to seek international expansion, including through a joint venture. In 2013, Ultrasis secured a financing agreement with shareholder Paul Bell, reflecting the company's need for additional financial support during a difficult period. Ultrasis's financial position deteriorated further in the middle of the decade. Its AIM listing was cancelled in October 2014, followed by a substantial fall in the company's valuation. The subsidiary Screenetics entered administration in 2015. Parts of Screenetics' business and assets were sold to ToHealth, and 34 employees transferred to the acquiring business. The administration followed the early termination of a public-sector contract. The evidence base for Beating the Blues also became more contested. A 2016 study reported that the programme was no more effective than care provided by a general practitioner, a finding that challenged the commercial and clinical assumptions underpinning Ultrasis's flagship product. Ultrasis Group Plc was ultimately dissolved on 21 July 2017. It is therefore best understood as a defunct digital mental-health and computerized-CBT company whose history reflected both the promise and the financial difficulty of supplying technology-enabled psychological care through public healthcare systems.
History
Ultrasis developed from Ultramind, a healthcare business founded by Tuvi Orbach to create computerized applications intended to help individuals improve their wellbeing. Villiers Plc acquired Ultramind and renamed it Ultrasis in 1999. The renamed company concentrated on applying cognitive behavioural therapy principles through software, targeting problems including depression, anxiety and stress. The company's business model relied substantially on institutional adoption. Rather than depending only on direct consumer sales, Ultrasis supplied products and programmes to public authorities and healthcare organizations. Customers included Kent County Council and Primary Care Trusts in England. A Kent County Council order for a digital support programme was linked to a rise in the company's share price in 2005, illustrating the importance that investors placed on public-sector contracts. Beating the Blues became Ultrasis's leading product. The programme provided a computerized form of CBT for depression and was recommended by NICE as a treatment option for people with mild or moderate depression. By 2009, when Ultrasis recorded its first pre-tax profit, sales of Beating the Blues were described as the principal source of that result and the product represented approximately 90 percent of company revenue. This concentration made the product commercially important but also left the business highly dependent on the continued acceptance and procurement of a single flagship programme. Ultrasis continued to engage with public healthcare policy. In October 2010, the company submitted written evidence to the government's Health Committee. The company subsequently faced reduced UK revenues amid uncertainty over NHS reforms. In response, it sought to expand outside its established UK market, including through a joint venture. In 2013, it also secured a financing agreement with shareholder Paul Bell, indicating that the business required additional funding while attempting to manage its transition and growth plans. The company's financial difficulties became more pronounced in 2014. Its AIM listing was cancelled in October, after which its valuation fell sharply. The following year, subsidiary Screenetics entered administration. ToHealth acquired parts of Screenetics' business and assets, and 34 employees moved to ToHealth. The administration occurred shortly after a public-sector contract had been terminated before its planned conclusion. Clinical evidence also affected the standing of the company's principal product. A study published in 2016 that used Beating the Blues concluded that the programme was no more effective than general-practitioner care. This result did not by itself establish that the software had no clinical value in every context, but it weakened the case for treating the programme as superior to ordinary GP care and added to the challenges facing the company. Ultrasis Group Plc was dissolved on 21 July 2017. Its history covers the early development of digital CBT, the attempt to commercialize software-based mental-health treatment through public healthcare systems, dependence on government and health-service procurement, and eventual corporate failure amid financial, policy and evidentiary pressures.
- 2017
Corporate dissolution
[1]Ultrasis Group Plc was dissolved on 21 July.
- 2015
Screenetics enters administration
[1]The Ultrasis subsidiary entered administration, with parts of its business and assets sold to ToHealth and 34 jobs transferred.
- 2014
AIM listing cancelled
[1]The company's AIM listing was cancelled in October amid financial difficulties.
- 2013
Shareholder financing agreement
[1]Ultrasis secured a financing agreement with shareholder Paul Bell while attempting to address weaker UK revenues and pursue international expansion.
- 2010
Written evidence to the Health Committee
[1]The company submitted written evidence to the United Kingdom government's Health Committee.
- 2009
First pre-tax profit
[1]Ultrasis recorded its first pre-tax profit, driven mainly by sales of Beating the Blues.
- 2005
Kent County Council programme order
[1]An order from Kent County Council for a digital support programme was associated with a rise in Ultrasis's share price.
- 1999
Ultramind is renamed Ultrasis
[1]Villiers Plc acquired the healthcare company Ultramind and renamed it Ultrasis.
Products and positioning
A healthcare technology company providing computerized cognitive behavioural therapy and digital mental-health support, primarily through institutional and public-sector healthcare channels.
Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy
Beating the Blues
Beating the Blues was Ultrasis's principal digital CBT programme for depression. It was designed to deliver structured psychological support through computer software and was recommended by NICE as a treatment option for people with mild or moderate depression. The product became the company's dominant commercial offering and was reported to account for approximately 90 percent of revenue in 2009. A 2016 study subsequently found it no more effective than GP care.
Healthcare technology subsidiary and digital support products
Screenetics
Screenetics was an Ultrasis subsidiary involved in the company's healthcare technology activities. It entered administration in 2015, after which ToHealth acquired parts of its business and assets and 34 employees transferred to the purchaser.
Brand decisions
2015
Sell parts of Screenetics to ToHealthM&ABackground
Screenetics entered administration after a public-sector contract had been terminated early.
Action taken
ToHealth acquired parts of Screenetics' business and assets, and 34 employees transferred to ToHealth.
Aftermath
Some operations and jobs were preserved under ToHealth, while Screenetics ceased operating as an Ultrasis subsidiary.
2014
Cancel the AIM listingOtherBackground
Ultrasis faced financial difficulties and uncertainty over its future funding and commercial prospects.
Action taken
The company's admission to the Alternative Investment Market was cancelled in October.
Aftermath
The company's valuation fell sharply as it struggled to maintain its financial position.
2013
Pursue international expansion and shareholder financingStrategyBackground
NHS reform uncertainty contributed to declining UK revenues, creating pressure to broaden the company's geographic reach and secure funding.
Action taken
Ultrasis attempted international expansion through a joint venture and secured a financing agreement with shareholder Paul Bell.
Aftermath
The company continued operating but remained under financial pressure, culminating in the cancellation of its AIM listing the following year.
1999
Acquire and rebrand UltramindStrategyBackground
Villiers Plc acquired Ultramind, a company developing computerized wellbeing applications.
Action taken
The acquired healthcare business was renamed Ultrasis and developed around computerized CBT products.
Aftermath
The rebranded company became a specialist supplier of digital mental-health and wellbeing products.
Recent events
- 2017
Ultrasis is dissolved[1]
Bankruptcy
Ultrasis Group Plc was dissolved on 21 July 2017.
- 2016
Study questions the comparative effectiveness of Beating the Blues[1]
Other
A study using Beating the Blues reported that the programme was no more effective than general-practitioner care.
- 2015
Screenetics enters administration[1]
Bankruptcy · M&A
Ultrasis subsidiary Screenetics entered administration. ToHealth acquired parts of the business and assets, with 34 employees transferring to the purchaser after an early-terminated public-sector contract.
- 2014
AIM listing is cancelled[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Ultrasis's admission to the Alternative Investment Market was cancelled in October, and the company's valuation subsequently declined sharply amid financial difficulties.
- 2013
Ultrasis secures financing agreement with shareholder[1]
Other
Ultrasis obtained a financing agreement with shareholder Paul Bell while facing weaker UK revenues and uncertainty connected with NHS reforms.
- 2010
Ultrasis submits evidence to the Health Committee[1]
Regulation
The company provided written evidence to the United Kingdom government's Health Committee during debate concerning healthcare and related policy.
- 2009
Ultrasis reports its first pre-tax profit[1]
Other
The company recorded its first pre-tax profit, with Beating the Blues described as the main driver and contributing approximately 90 percent of revenue.
- 2005
Kent County Council order supports share-price rise[1]
Other
An order from Kent County Council for a digital support programme was associated with an increase in Ultrasis's share price.
Sources1 sources
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