British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered into a development agreement and R&D collaboration with Propeller Health for the development of sensor technology for Ellipta inhaler.
As part of the non-exclusive agreement, Propeller Health will develop and manufacture digital sensor for GSK’s patented and dry powder Ellipta inhaler, which will be used in certain clinical studies related to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The deal allows GSK to negotiate exclusive commercialization rights to the sensor for use with its marketed portfolio of respiratory medicines administered using the Ellipta inhaler.
In the studies, the sensor will be used to mechanically collect and record data on the inhaler’s usage, and wirelessly transmit the information to a central data repository for analysis by clinical researchers.
The sensor technology is being developed to provide better insights into adherence patterns across patient populations, as well as to allow for more precise correlation of adherence with safety, efficacy and economic outcomes.
Propeller Health CEO and co-founder David Van Sickle said: "We are pleased to announce a collaboration with GSK, a global leader in the treatment of respiratory disease."
GSK respiratory R&D senior vice president Dave Allen said: "We continue to find new and better ways to conduct clinical trials by exploring novel patient centered outcomes through strategic collaborations."
According to Propeller, its platform has been used by patients in around 35 commercial programs in the US, including healthcare systems, payers, employers and other commercial partners.
The platform is compatible with commonly used asthma and COPD inhaler devices, including controller and reliever metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and other inhaler devices such as dry powder inhaler (DPI) and soft mist inhaler (SMI).
Image: Chest X-ray demonstrating severe COPD. Photo: courtesy of James Heilman, MD.