Propeller, Orion to develop digital asthma, COPD therapy

Propeller Health said today that it inked a deal to connect Orion’s Easyhaler line of inhalers for asthma and COPD with Propeller’s digital medicine platform.

The two companies plan to co-develop a sensor that will attach to Orion’s inhalers and pair with a mobile app.

Propeller touted that its existing digital medicine portfolio includes more than 90% of the inhaled medicines for asthma and COPD on the market. The company’s technology tracks medication use and gives feedback designed to help manage and reduce symptoms.

“By connecting Easyhaler to Propeller’s digital platform, we are giving our patients and their providers a new ability to improve the user experience of Easyhaler products and help patients better adhere to the treatments,” Satu Ahomäki, Orion’s SVP of commercial operations, said in prepared remarks. “We are thrilled to take this step to reduce the burden of asthma and COPD via a digital companion to our medicine.”

“People and their physicians are eager for medicines that put digital to work to improve their treatments and quality of life,” Propeller’s co-founder & CEO, David Van Sickle, added. “This partnership with Orion is another significant step toward reducing the burden of chronic respiratory disease for people around the world.”

In January, ResMed (NYSE:RMD) announced that it closed its $225 million acquisition of Propeller Health. ResMed first announced the deal in December last year, explaining that Propeller’s products for people with COPD complement its suite of cloud-connected ventilators and establish the company as a leader in digital health solutions for COPD.

Want to stay on top of DDBN content? Sign up for our e-mail newsletter for a weekly dose of drug-device news.