Kaia Health and Chiesi partnership to commercialise COPD rehabilitation app

Digital therapeutics company, Kaia Health and Chiesi Group, an international research-focused healthcare group, have entered into an exclusive partnership to commercialise the Kaia Health Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Pulmonary Rehabilitation app in Europe.

The agreement marks one of the first times in respiratory care that a digital therapeutics company and pharmaceutical company are partnering to bring patients a digital therapeutic that supports COPD treatment outcomes through behaviour change, rather than relying on pharmacology.

In the UK, lung conditions are estimated to cost the NHS and patients around £9.9 billion each year. Respiratory conditions, including COPD, affect one in five people in England, and are the third biggest cause of death. In England, pulmonary rehabilitation is currently only offered to 13% of eligible COPD patients.

Under the partnership arrangement, the Kaia Health COPD digital therapeutic, which delivers a personalised, physical pulmonary rehabilitation experience, will be highly focused on key markets in Europe.

The Kaia COPD solution consists of a mobile app-based software programme, accessed via an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, and an interface for motivational support that can be delivered by a provider such as health coaches or healthcare professionals. It digitises and delivers affordable, accessible, physical Pulmonary Rehabilitation - an essential component of COPD treatment - directly to patients' homes on their smartphone. The Kaia Health COPD app delivers comprehensive education and customised daily training sessions, along with mindfulness and stress relief exercises, augmented with human coaching support and individualised therapy. The Kaia COPD solution has been investigated in one pilot trial and is currently the subject of an ongoing RCT in Europe. The Kaia Health COPD app is CE marked in Europe as a Class 1 medical device.

Konstantin Mehl, founder and president, Kaia Health, said: “Our strategic partnership with Chiesi, a growing global company with an established European commercial presence, brings a wealth of experience in navigating the respiratory health landscape in Europe, while expanding patient access to evidence-based, digital physical pulmonary rehabilitation. The entire Kaia Health team is excited to join forces with Chiesi to enhance COPD patient care and quality of life through digital therapeutics.”

Kaia Health is a member of the Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA), an international non-profit trade association of industry leaders and stakeholders engaged in the evidence-driven advancement of digital therapeutics. 

Ugo Di Francesco, chief executive officer of the Chiesi Group, said: “We’re pleased to partner with Kaia Health to complement and further strengthen our portfolio in the respiratory therapeutic area, expanding our ability to address patient care through a non-pharmacological approach. This agreement embodies Chiesi’s commitment to providing the highest level of care and quality of life possible for people living with COPD and other respiratory diseases, going beyond merely those issues addressable through medication. We have been impressed with Kaia Health’s experience to date bringing impactful digital solutions to the European market and are looking forward to helping European COPD patients benefit from their expertise.”