Adherium’s Hailie Smartinhaler boosts adherence in landmark US study

Adherium has delivered compelling early results from its iCARE study in the United States, showing its Hailie Smartinhaler can drive unprecedented improvements in adherence among patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The study, run with Intermountain Health and AI driven remote monitoring platform CareCentra, involved supplying 4,000 devices to support up to 2,500 patients across five hospitals. Interim analysis of about 850 patients revealed adherence rates up to 235 per cent higher than typical real world norms, which are often just 20 to 40 per cent.

On average, patients used their inhalers nearly two thirds of the time, with around four in ten reaching the critical threshold of more than 80 per cent adherence. This level has long been linked to halving the risk of exacerbations and hospitalisations. Engagement levels were sustained, with 54 per cent of patients staying active for more than a year, far exceeding the 30 to 45 per cent benchmarks usually seen in digital health.

Chief executive Dawn Bitz said the results validated Adherium’s strategy. “By generating actionable patient data, including biometrics from our Smartinhaler technology, the iCARE study demonstrates breakthrough adherence, unprecedented patient persistence, reduced hospitalisations, and significant potential cost savings. This data lays strong foundations for a scalable, value based care model with global commercial relevance,” she said.

The study also revealed reductions in inpatient admissions, 30 day readmissions, length of hospital stays and reliance on rescue medications, all contributing to lower overall care costs. Importantly, engagement was highest among elderly, high risk patients who are typically hardest to reach with digital health tools.

Intermountain Health’s director of respiratory research Kim Bennion said the program gave patients tools to stay on therapy between clinic visits. “Through the iCARE program with continuous respiratory monitoring and nudging technology, we are giving our patients the tools and support to stay on therapy, avoid hospitalisations, and maintain a higher quality of life,” she said.

Adherium considers the results material, pointing to a multi billion dollar commercial opportunity as US payers and providers seek value based care solutions. COPD alone drives more than US$31 billion in healthcare costs annually, with poor adherence the single biggest barrier to improved outcomes.

With further data and analysis to come, the iCARE study is already shaping as the largest real world respiratory monitoring program of its kind, and a potential springboard for Adherium’s international expansion.