Novartis has established therapy management collaboration with Qualcomm Life to enhance the ability of its next-generation Breezhaler inhaler.
Breezhaler is a device used for Novartis’ portfolio of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments, including Onbrez, Seebri and Ultibro.
Under the deal, Qualcomm Life will offer the technology solution for the connectivity of the Breezhaler inhaler, which allows patients to access their own data.
The company will also develop the reference design for the small, low-power and disposable module to connect the next-generation Breezhaler.
The disposable module in the inhaler can detect and report usage, the time that the device is used. It will also provide additional relevant information for patients and physicians.
Later, the module wirelessly transmits data to the patient’s smartphone and Novartis’ COPD mobile application, which directs the data to the cloud, enabling patients and healthcare providers to monitor their COPD.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals head David Epstein said: "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(TM) device, patients can monitor their own adherence to the medication they take which is vital to their health outcomes."
Ultibro Breezhaler 110/50mcg is a once-daily LABA/LAMA dual bronchodilator that obtained approval in the European Union (EU) as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with COPD2.