GSK, Propeller to Collaborate on Custom Sensor for Ellipta

Pharma titan GlaxoSmithKline is jumping into the “smart” inhaler space, inking a deal with Propeller Health covering the drugmaker’s Ellipta.

Under the terms of the nonexclusive agreement, Propeller will develop and manufacture a digital sensor for the drugmaker’s Ellipta inhaler for use in certain clinical studies in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. GSK will retain an option to negotiate exclusive commercialization rights to the sensor for use with its portfolio of respiratory medicines administered using Ellipta.

The companies declined to share details on the financial terms of the deal, or the timelines for product development. “This is an early-stage technology deal in an area where we are keen to do more,” GSK spokeswoman Mary Anne Rhyne tells IDDM.

In the clinical studies, the sensor will collect and record data — such as the date and time of the inhaler’s use — and wirelessly transmit the information to a central data repository for analysis by GSK researchers.

“Using innovative sensor technology to improve the quality of adherence data collected during our studies will advance our understanding of disease and inform our decision-making in the development of new medicines,” says Dave Allen, GSK’s senior vice president of respiratory R&D.

Earlier this year, Madison, Wisc.-based Propeller won expanded FDA 510(k) clearance of its digital health platform for use with medications incorporating GSK’s Diskus dry powder inhaler for asthma and COPD. The move followed the Propeller platform’s 510(k) clearance in March for use with medications associated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Respimat inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (IDDM, July 23). — Jonathon Shacat