Digital health solution turns inhaler into connected device

Aptar Pharma, a drug delivery, services and active material science solutions specialist, has launched HeroTracker Sense, a digital respiratory health solution that turns a standard metered dose inhaler (pMDI) into a smart connected healthcare device.

HeroTracker Sense is designed to help improve the lives of patients around the world suffering from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, and other respiratory conditions caused by COVID-19, to track their MDI usage and facilitate improved adherence to their prescribed therapy.

HeroTracker Sense is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) add-on connected device, designed to address patient inhalation technique and adherence.

By attaching to the canister of an MDI, HeroTracker Sense has several features to help asthma and COPD patients take their medication in a more informed way. The sensors in the device enable the creation and supply of information such as co-ordination of inspiration with actuation, flow rate and inhalation duration. Other features available through the app include date and time stamps to indicate when the patient should take their medication, as well as environmental monitoring alerts such as temperature and humidity.

HeroTracker Sense offers healthcare providers (HCPs) valuable analytics and insights into patient training, onboarding and performance through the Aptar Pharma Cohero Health BreatheSmart Connect Portal, which is both HIPAA and GDPR compliant, while patients can monitor their adherence through the BreatheSmart app.

Sai Shankar, president, digital health, Aptar Pharma, said: “HeroTracker Sense is a strategic addition to Aptar’s portfolio of digital health solutions in the respiratory space, and underlines Aptar Pharma’s progress in the field of digital therapeutics, as well as our commitment to providing tools that will lead to an improvement in the lives of patients.

Marcus Bates, director, business development, digital healthcare, Aptar Pharma, added: “The launch of HeroTracker Sense positions Aptar’s digital respiratory portfolio as a world leading offering, providing insights into patient behaviours and how that will lead to a change in the way the patient interacts with their device, and their understanding of their indication. We see this as a product for the future and one that will demonstrate significant value, creating real world evidence that can aid the support of reimbursement models in numerous different markets.”

HeroTracker Sense has been designed and developed using Aptar Digital Health’s ISO 13485 certified Quality Management System, is CE marked and is pending FDA approval.