Adherium partners with AstraZeneca for Hailie Smartinhaler clinical trial
Digital health solutions specialist Adherium (ASX: ADR) is celebrating news that global biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has selected its Hailie Smartinhaler platform for a clinical trial.
Under the contract, valued at $1.1 million, AstraZeneca will use the devices to record and transfer medication usage data over a period of three years.
Adherium will provide Hailie Smartinhalers, the Hailie app and platform for the trial, which allows for accurate tracking of inhaler medication use through the selected electronic clinical outcome assessment devices.
Strategic commitment
Adherium’s technology utilises a secure cloud data platform to enable physicians and carers to optimally manage patients with difficult to treat and severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), thereby reducing direct and indirect healthcare costs.
“This agreement underscores Adherium’s strategic commitment to enhancing patient care through advanced technology,” said Adherium chief executive officer Dr Paul Mastoridis.
“Our Hailie platform is designed to ensure precise monitoring and support for patients with respiratory diseases, facilitating the pursuit of tailored therapy.”
Major impact
In Australia, chronic respiratory diseases affect 31% of the population.
Around 2.7 million Australians, or 11% of the 7.4 million people with chronic respiratory diseases, had asthma.
Additionally, 375,800 individuals (1.5% of the population) had COPD in 2020-2021.
‘Defining phase’
Adherium announced in late April it was undertaking a placement and entitlement offer to raise up to $8.37 million.
The funds from the capital raising are being used by the company to support its growth plans.
“Adherium is entering a defining phase in its commercial development,” Dr Mastoridis said.
“We are extending the reach and impact of our world-class respiratory health product portfolio within the US, the largest healthcare market in the world.”
Clear and focused strategy
“Our company has a clear and focused US engagement and market penetration strategy, which prioritises manufacturing activities and sales via established pharmaceutical and payer groups in this market.”
“Adherium is now a global leader in the provision of digital health solutions, with 12 US Food and Drug Administration 510K-cleared inhalation sensors now on the market.”
“These drug-agnostic sensors cover the US top 20 branded inhaler medications by sales volume, bringing a truly competitive advantage to the Adherium product portfolio.”
UK-headquartered AstraZeneca globally employs over 80,000 people, including at its manufacturing facility and offices in Australia.
It is one of the largest manufacturers of pharmaceuticals in the country.