Propeller Health

Propeller Health develops a digital health platform for managing chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. The company's platform consists of small sensors that attach to patients' inhalers and pair with a mobile app to automatically track medication use. The sensors capture unique signals that record events such as medication usage and respiration, which is then transmitted to the Propeller app to deliver insights and reminders. The technology has received eight FDA 510(k) approvals and has demonstrated significant clinical outcomes, including a 58% improvement in medication adherence, 48% increase in symptom-free days, and 53% reduction in emergency room visits. The platform leverages machine learning and AWS services to provide patients with health forecasts based on local weather conditions, recent medication use, and other factors. In December 2018, Propeller Health was acquired by ResMed for USD 225 million and continues to operate as a standalone business while maintaining its product solutions and partnerships. The platform is used across the US, Europe, and Asia. The company's technology has been integrated with multiple leading Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, including Cerner Millennium and Epic, to enable streamlined provider workflows and seamless data transmission.

Propeller's platform also includes Air, an open API that uses machine learning and data collected from environmental sources to predict how asthma may be affected by local environmental conditions. The company has scaled to serve more than 100,000 patients across three continents.

Key customers and partnerships

Propeller Health has established several key pharmaceutical partnerships. In 2017, the company collaborated with Novartis to develop a custom add-on sensor for their Breezhaler inhaler for COPD treatments. In 2015, they began working with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a smart add-on for its Ellipta inhaler. The company has also expanded its sensor availability for AstraZeneca's Symbicort, a leading inhaled prescription for COPD and asthma in the U.S. In October 2023, UC Davis Health partnered with Propeller Health to offer personalized treatment for high-risk patients with asthma and COPD. The company's platform is used by patients, physicians, and healthcare organizations globally. A notable implementation of the platform was in Louisville, Kentucky, where 140 asthmatic individuals used the sensors, leading to policy changes to improve emissions standards and clean the air.