Novartis www.novartis.com is collaborating with Qualcomm Life www.qualcommlife.com to develop the next generation Breezhaler inhaler™ device to treat COPD. Qualcomm will provide the technology solution to provide connectivity for the device that is scheduled to be used for the Novartis portfolio for COPD treatments. Novartis plans to launch the next generation connected Breezhaler in 2019 following manufacturing, testing and regulatory approvals.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects an estimated 210 million worldwide and is the third leading cause of death. COPD is progressive and makes it difficult for people to breathe with symptoms that can have a destructive impact on how patients function and their quality of life.
The next generation of the Breezhaler inhaler will enable patients to have access to their own data on the use of their inhaler in real-time. The small, disposable and low power module designed to connect with Qualcomm Life’s 2net Platform can detect and report usage, the time that the inhale is used, duration of the usage, as well as additional relevant information for patients and physicians.
The module than wirelessly sends the data to the patient’s smartphone and to a Novartis COPD mobile application, which then sends the data to the cloud enabling patients and potentially their healthcare providers to monitor their COPD. The connected device will ready to use by patients, with no assembly required.