Propeller Health, the leading digital health solution for respiratory medicine, announced a partnership with Aptar Pharma (Aptar), a global drug delivery systems provider, including technology for metered dose inhalers systems (MDIs) for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Under the terms of the agreement, Propeller and Aptar will jointly develop the world’s first integrated cMDI, with an integrated sensor and a novel electronic dose counter. The device is currently available for licensing and is expected to enter clinical studies later this year.

Pressurized MDIs are the most common type of inhaler device on the market today, with over 600 million units manufactured globally. They deliver aerosolized medications such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids and combinations that are used daily by patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD. The Propeller-Aptar partnership will create the first connected inhaler, the most significant improvement in MDIs since the industry added mechanical dose counters over ten years ago.

The new inhaler will combine Aptar MDI components and sensor technology with Propeller electronics directly into the inhaler housing, allowing for accurate and reliable monitoring of when each patient uses their inhaled medication. Information about the use of medications delivered by the cMDI will be put to work as part of the Propeller digital system for patients and providers. Leveraging existing apps, emails, text messages and other feedback, patients are able to learn more about their disease, how to better manage it, and how to stay on track with their prescribed dosing instructions. In addition, physicians can identify individuals who need more help controlling symptoms, and care managers can efficiently focus on higher risk patients who need more personalized attention.

Propeller’s platform is 510(k) cleared and compatible with a majority of MDIs on the market today including controller medications such as GSK’s Flovent, Merck’s Dulera, Teva’s QVAR, and others, as well as reliever medications such as GSK’s Ventolin HFA, Merck’s Proventil HFA, Teva’s ProAir HFA, and generic albuterol. It is also cleared and compatible with medications utilizing Boehringer Ingelheims’s Respimat soft mist inhaler (SMI) and GSK’s Diskus dry powder inhaler (DPI).

“Patients and physicians deserve better designed inhalers that are easier to use and help them successfully treat their chronic respiratory disease,” said David Van Sickle, CEO of Propeller. “We are excited to work with Aptar to bring important digital innovation to respiratory drug delivery. We expect our connected inhaler to become the cornerstone for a platform of digital programs that will support and encourage better management of and quality of life with chronic respiratory disease. Together I believe we have the scale and expertise to impact millions of patients with asthma and COPD around the world.”

“We are pleased to partner with Propeller to develop the next generation of connected inhalers,” said Salim Haffar, president of Aptar Pharma. “We believe the combination of Aptar’s expertise and technology in inhaler design and development with Propeller’s proven system for asthma and COPD patient management creates a compelling offer to meet the needs of stakeholders in this market place”.

Aptar Pharma is part of the AptarGroup, Inc. family of companies, along with Aptar Beauty + Home and Aptar Food + Beverage. The company creates innovative drug delivery systems that meet the evolving needs of biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies around the world.