based in Germany Health Vision has confirmed raising €3 million in pre-series A funds to commercialize its AI-based digital app to teach correct ways to use inhalers, to treat lung diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The round was led by DB specialty investmentwhose owner Dr Dietrich Bruchmann is joining the VisionHealth board in a non-executive capacity.
With the new funds, VisionHealth is preparing a clinical trial of 120 patients, across multiple medical facilities, to validate its Kata app that offers real-time guidance on how to optimally withdraw from an inhaler.
The app is already undergoing clinical validation and has now been approved for safety by the EC licensing board, ahead of a commercial launch in Germany and “select European markets”.
Funding will support these commercial regulatory pathways while establishing approval in the US. Chronic respiratory disease is thought to affect around 250 million people worldwide – in Germany alone, there are around 8.9 million cases.
The advice given through the VisionHealth app changes to reflect specific inhalers used by the patient, and allows them to log the daily regimen and any small changes in their condition. Kata tracks each inhalation through the user’s smartphone camera to provide feedback on each inhalation, ensuring the correct dose reaches their lungs.#
Studies show that patients struggle to use inhalers correctly, with estimated error rates averaging at least 32%.
In 2021 VisionHealth implemented a new product, VisionHealth Clinical, to create new possibilities for sponsors and contract research organizations conducting trials in chronic respiratory disease, leveraging Kata technology to improve the participant experience and at the at the same time improve study results. It now plans to explore strategic partnerships to put together more customized product variants on the “particular needs of the industry.”
Dr. Sabine HaeussermannVisionHealth CEO, said: “We are excited to support the very positive proof of concept study results with more data on the effectiveness of Kata®. With more than 2,400 users since the first release, a stunning 83.3% told us they like Continue using the Kata® App in the future, similar amounts of users would recommend the app to friends with respiratory diseases.
“We are very pleased to see how we can make a difference for patients and improve health outcomes. We appreciate the continued support of our shareholders and our new investor, Dr. Bruchmann of Nuvisan.”
Dr. Dietrich Bruchmannthe CEO of Nuvisan Pharma Holding Group added: “I’m excited to see the potential of Kata®, as access improves for asthma and COPD patients.
“As an active CRO in the respiratory field, I was also very motivated to implement the Kata® Clinical app in clinical trials: Incorrect inhalation therapy admissions can be a major error factor.”
“Supporting each patient individually through the app on how to administer an inhaler improves patient outcomes in everyday life and also improves the quality of clinical trial results, ensuring maximum benefit from therapy.”