Qualcomm subsidiary Qualcomm Life will design a disposable module for the Breezhaler DPI that will sense and report inhaler usage data for Novartis’s Breezhaler COPD products, including Ultibro, Seebri, and Onbrez. The Breezhaler DPIs are approved in the US as Utibron, Seebri, and Arcapta Neohalers.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Head David Epstein commented, “Novartis supports patients being empowered to make it easier for them to manage their chronic conditions. By enabling near real time data capture from the patient and the connected Breezhaler device, patients can monitor their own adherence to the medication they take which is vital to their health outcomes.”
Qualcomm Life Senior VP and General Manager Rick Valencia said, “This is an exciting time for health care as we see the proliferation of the Internet of Medical Things. Through our expanded collaboration with Novartis, we are able to deliver a frictionless digital health experience to their COPD patients.”
Novartis says that it “aims to be the first company in respiratory medicine to offer a completely integrated, connected delivery device to provide a seamless, easy to use and simple experience for patients” and that it expects to launch the connected Breezhaler in 2019.
Previously announced connected inhaler collaborations include GSK’s deal with Propeller Health to develop a sensor for the Ellipta DPI and AstraZeneca’s partnership with Adherium.
Read the Novartis press release.
Read the Qualcomm press release.
