Propeller Health, a leading mobile platform for respiratory health management that utilizes sensors, mobile apps and services to help reduce the cost of care while improving quality of life for individuals with chronic respiratory disease, has just announced the US Food and Drug Administration has granted a 510(k) marketing clearance to the Propeller platform in association with drugs delivered via GlaxoSmithKline’s Diskus dry powder inhaler (DPI), indicated for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It was only in March 2015 that Propeller Health received a similar 510(k) marketing clearance, but for medications delivered with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Respimat inhaler for COPD.

“Poor adherence to inhaled medications remains a common barrier to successful management of respiratory disease. Propeller has demonstrated that engagement with their platform can change this, doubling adherence and providing significant clinical benefit,” said David Mannino, MD,  professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at the University of Kentucky.  “I’m encouraged by the potential of combining digital services with existing therapies to improve outcomes. Adding these important medications to Propeller’s system will help improve care for many patients with COPD and asthma across the US.”

Propeller’s digital health platform works by remotely monitoring the use of inhaled emergency and maintenance medications in patients with asthma and COPD, analyzes patient trends, and provides regular feedback. It has been endorsed by the FDA to be able to improve patients’ compliance with treatment, predict and reduce potential exacerbations, and reduce symptoms.

This new clearance marks the fourth FDA clearance granted to Propeller Health, with the first granted in July 2012 for medications used with pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDI), and the second granted in May 2014 to include improved features.

“Today we’re excited to announce back-to-back FDA clearances that demonstrate our leadership and commitment to a singular goal: moving the field of respiratory health forward.” said David Van Sickle, CEO and co-founder of Propeller. “510(k) clearance of our platform with inhaler devices from leading global respiratory companies GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim opens the door for millions of patients to expect and achieve something better in asthma and COPD.”