Homegrown medtech returns from global ascent to breathe new life into asthma care in Australia

More than 2.2 million Australians living with asthma could soon benefit from innovative digital inhaler technology, designed not only to improve patient outcomes but to reduce the burden on the nation’s stretched healthcare system.

Melbourne-based medtech company Adherium has developed the Bluetooth-enabled Hailie sensor, which attaches to a patient’s asthma inhaler and connects to a smartphone via the Hailie app. This technology monitors the quality of a patient’s inhalation and provides daily reminders to use preventer medication, reducing the risk of flare-ups and uncontrolled symptoms. By capturing real-time data, clinicians are empowered to optimise treatment plans and support improved asthma control and quality of life.

Clinical trials of the Hailie Smartinhaler are underway in partnership with AstraZeneca and GSK, addressing the fact that over 80% of patients diagnosed with asthma do not use their inhalers correctly, often resulting in emergency department visits and avoidable hospital admissions.

Allergy Partners’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr William McCann, said “I have suspected for years that patients struggling with their asthma are either not taking their medication regularly or not taking it properly. We have not seen the health improvements we should be getting from asthma therapies.”

Patient outcomes tell a compelling story. Linda saw a dramatic turnaround after using Adherium’s Hailie device, going from five emergency department presentations and hospital admissions in 2023 to zero in 2024.

“I have suffered from severe asthma for my entire life and embracing this technology has helped me to reduce the severity of my attacks,” she said. “My Asthma Control Test score has improved by 60%.”

Dr McCann added, “This technology helps patients get their treatment right by not only helping them remember when to use their medication but ensure they are doing it correctly. It supports patients, their families and their healthcare provider to have the right discussions about their inhaler technique and the regularity with which they take their medicine, which leads to better quality of life and outcomes.”

The Hailie technology has already gained traction in the United States, where the government approved Remote Therapeutic Monitoring reimbursement in 2022 for respiratory patients using smart inhalers.

Adherium’s Interim CEO, Jeremy Curnock Cook, said “We have achieved great results in the US and collected significant amounts of data which underlines the value that the Hailie technology can deliver to patients and the broader health system.”

Now, Adherium is looking to replicate that success in its home market. Curnock Cook said, “The next step for us is to undertake demonstration pilots back home in Australia to prove the impact the Hailie Technology can have on patients with asthma.

“We will be seeking funding from the Australian Government so we can help deliver this technology for about 5000 people with severe asthma over three years across 10 of the Australian Government’s Urgent Care Clinics.”

Asthma is a substantial driver of healthcare expenditure in Australia. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 56,600 emergency department visits and 25,500 hospitalisations where asthma was the principal diagnosis, with costs estimated at $851.7 million.

“While the health benefits for our patients are our primary focus, there are enormous potential cost savings for both federal and state governments through a reduction in the frequency of presentations to emergency departments and hospitalisations,” explained Curnock Cook. “We know our health system is under immense pressure across Australia and the widespread use of our technology has the potential to ease the load on our frontline health workers and improve lives.”

He further added, “Without knowing whether patients are using their inhalers correctly, doctors could be currently prescribing expensive medication at taxpayer expense to patients at about $30,000 a year when they only require more standard medication which costs about $1,000 a year.”

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