en
SecretBox revolutionizes medication management with smart, portable dispensing and AI-powered tracking for safer, easier adherence
The story of SecretBox began with a personal challenge that Sofia Esteves Carvalho faced while traveling. Despite being a long-time adherent to her prescribed migraine medication, she encountered significant difficulty in obtaining it. This frustrating experience highlighted a broader issue: the struggles many face with medication adherence and access. For Sofia, the challenge was further emphasized by her grandmother, an immigrant who struggled to understand English-language prescriptions, leading to frequent misunderstandings about her medication regimen. These experiences became the catalyst for Sofia’s mission to improve medication management, culminating in the creation of SecretBox.
"SecretBox was born out of personal frustration," Sofia shares. "I realized how challenging it was to maintain compliance with prescriptions while traveling. This led me to think about how many others face similar struggles, whether due to language barriers, complex medical regimens, or limited access to medications."
Sofia’s path to creating SecretBox was deeply rooted in her determination to address a pressing healthcare issue. "The idea was refined through countless conversations with healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients," she explains. Recognizing the gaps in existing solutions — such as disposable amber bottles and bulky digital dispensers — she teamed up with her husband, Brennan Carvalho, an experienced electrical engineer. Together, they developed a smarter, more accessible solution. Using 3D printing, they created early prototypes, refining the concept through rigorous feedback from stakeholders.
"We quickly learned that bulky dispensers or basic bottles were not enough," Sofia explains. "Patients needed a solution that was portable, secure, and easy to use. That’s when we decided to combine controlled dispensing with real-time monitoring to ensure adherence and safety."
SecretBox tackles two of the most pressing healthcare challenges. The first is medication misuse, a crisis that claims thousands of lives each year, particularly from opioid overdoses. "The U. S. faces a crisis where 41 people die daily from prescription opioid overdoses," Sofia says. "SecretBox can limit access to only prescribed doses, significantly reducing the likelihood of misuse or addiction." The second is medication adherence, especially among elderly patients or those in recovery. "For caregivers and providers, it’s incredibly difficult to monitor compliance," Sofia notes. "SecretBox makes it possible to track medication use in real time, offering peace of mind and actionable data."
Validation was a crucial part of SecretBox’s journey. Sofia conducted extensive research, including interviews with pharmacists, providers, and insurers, to confirm the feasibility and relevance of the product. Clinical studies and focus groups provided further insights, helping refine the functionality of early prototypes.
"We received invaluable feedback from caregivers and assisted living facilities," Sofia recalls. "They helped us understand the importance of features like tamper detection, real-time alerts, and integration with existing healthcare systems."
User feedback also played a key role in shaping the product’s development. "One of the biggest pain points we addressed was portability," Sofia explains. "Early testers told us that most digital pill dispensers were too bulky for everyday use. We designed SecretBox to be compact and portable, just like a regular pill bottle."
Sofia’s vision for SecretBox is ambitious but clear. "Our mission is to fundamentally transform how medications are dispensed, monitored, and adhered to," she says. "We want to save lives by reducing misuse and overdoses while improving healthcare outcomes for patients." The platform is designed to be inclusive, catering to elderly individuals, non-English speakers, and those in assisted living facilities.
By seamlessly integrating with healthcare systems, SecretBox aims to become a global standard for medication management. "Our goal is to create an ecosystem where pharmacies, providers, and insurers work together to ensure safe and compliant medication use," Sofia explains. "We also want to align with sustainability goals by using recyclable and reusable materials."
What sets SecretBox apart is its innovative approach to medication management. Unlike traditional amber pill bottles or bulky dispensers, SecretBox combines portability, affordability, and advanced technology. It not only dispenses the correct dosage but also tracks compliance through an AI-powered app, which verifies medication intake and sends real-time updates to caregivers and providers.
"Traditional bottles provide full access to medication, which increases the risk of misuse," Sofia says. "Digital dispensers, on the other hand, are often expensive and not portable. SecretBox bridges this gap by offering a secure, tech-enabled solution that’s easy to carry and use."
The platform’s ability to integrate with pharmacy management systems and electronic medical records (EMRs) further distinguishes it from competitors. "Healthcare providers told us how crucial it was to avoid disruptions in workflow," Sofia recalls. "We ensured that SecretBox integrates seamlessly with existing systems, streamlining the experience for both patients and providers."
SecretBox is well-positioned to capitalize on major trends in healthcare, including the push for digital health solutions, value-based care, and sustainability. The device addresses the opioid epidemic by providing controlled dispensing, while its AI-driven compliance tracking aligns with the growing demand for remote patient monitoring.
"We’re seeing a shift toward more personalized and outcomes-driven healthcare," Sofia says. "SecretBox supports this by empowering providers and caregivers with real-time data, making it easier to intervene when necessary."
Sofia attributes the success of SecretBox to its mission-driven culture and collaborative approach. "Every member of our team is deeply committed to improving healthcare outcomes," she explains. The company emphasizes agility, diversity, and accountability, ensuring that every decision is tied to meaningful results.
Reflecting on her journey, Sofia acknowledges the challenges of navigating regulatory hurdles and securing funding as a hardware-focused startup. "Fundraising as a health-tech company is no easy task," she admits. "But knowing that SecretBox has the potential to save lives keeps me motivated."
As SecretBox moves toward finalizing its MVP, Sofia is focused on conducting pilot studies and preparing for regulatory approvals. The company also plans to expand its features, such as integrating wearable devices and enhancing AI capabilities for personalized medication adherence plans.
"Our ultimate goal is to redefine medication safety," Sofia says. "We want to lead a movement that not only saves lives but also transforms how healthcare is delivered."
From its inception to its current stage, SecretBox reflects Sofia’s unwavering commitment to addressing a critical need in healthcare. With its innovative design and mission-driven approach, SecretBox is poised to make a lasting impact on medication management worldwide.
