An AI-powered digital platform transforming COPD care through personalised therapy and remote monitoring
The challenge
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) pose a major health and economic burden worldwide, affecting 500 million people globally. In Europe, these conditions impact approximately 42 million people annually and result in substantial healthcare costs, estimated at €380 billion each year. This includes at least €55 billion in primary and hospital care expenses and €42 billion in lost workforce productivity[1].
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases globally, increasingly contributing to morbidity, disability, and mortality. In 2020, approximately 36 million Europeans were estimated to have COPD. By 2050, this figure is projected to reach around 49 million, with a prevalence rate of 9.3%, representing a 35.2% increase in the number of patients and a 39.6% rise in overall prevalence[2].
In Germany, over 7 million individuals are affected by COPD, and approximately 300,000 patients are hospitalized following an acute exacerbation of COPD[3]. The annual total cost of COPD treatment exceeds €13 billion, with statutory health insurance companies covering the largest share more than 60% of these expenses[4]. The high costs are mainly due to exacerbations and the resulting hospitalizations, which can cost up to €10,700 per patient per year[5]. This represents a significant opportunity both in terms of patient volume and financial value. Solutions that reduce hospitalizations or exacerbations could greatly impact patient care and capture a large portion of this high-cost market.
Similar to Germany, COPD is a significant public health concern in Austria, with projections indicating a substantial rise in prevalence over time. In 2005, 1,047,150 Austrians over the age of 40 were affected by COPD across GOLD stages I–IV, with 431,080 requiring treatment for stages II–IV.
Alarmingly, the underdiagnosis rate was calculated at 88.5%, highlighting the vast number of undetected cases. These trends, combined with the fact that COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, underscore the urgent need for preventive measures in Austria to address this growing epidemic.[6].
The solution
Breathment is a digital health platform transforming COPD care through an AI-powered therapy app and remote patient monitoring software. It is a CE-certified Digital Respiratory Health Platform, available in German, English, Turkish, and Italian, enabling customized digital care pathways specifically designed for respiratory diseases. The platform includes the “Breathment App,” a mobile application for patients, and “Breathment MyClinic,” a web application for healthcare professionals that supports patient and therapy management, teletherapy, and remote patient monitoring.
With this approach and its medical team, Breathment digitizes prevention, monitoring and rehabilitation to enable patients access to their treatment from the comfort of their home, reduce hospitalization rates and, ultimately, save significant costs for the health insurance companies.
With over 7 million COPD patients in Germany, and respiratory disease costs reaching €13.19 billion annually, Breathment offers a cost-effective solution. Targeting a €6 billion market, Breathment addresses key cost drivers such as poor rehabilitation and inadequate disease management, reducing exacerbations and readmissions while improving patient outcomes.
Expected impact
Breathment will achieve significant milestones across social, economic, and health domains, addressing critical care gaps and improving outcomes for COPD and other respiratory conditions. This project will position Breathment as a compliant, scalable, and clinically validated digital solution, driving market expansion in Germany and enabling a successful market entry in Austria.
Social Impact
Improved Accessibility to Aftercare: Through joint marketing and sales efforts, the project will further expand access to Breathment’s secondary prevention and continuous rehabilitation programs in Germany and Austria.
Expansion in Germany and Entry into Austria: By facilitating market entry in Austria and further expansion in Germany, the project will bring sustainable digital therapies to a wider region.
Economic Impact
Cost Savings and Reimbursement Expansion: Effective aftercare and secondary prevention through Breathment will significantly reduce exacerbations and hospital readmissions, which are major cost drivers in COPD care.
Health Impact
Breathment’s ability to improve COPD management, reduce symptom burden, and significantly enhance the quality of life for patients in Germany and Austria, according also to The Digi-PuRe study which demonstrated that patients using Breathment experienced a 21.4% reduction in symptoms (CAT score) and a 20% improvement in health status (SHS score), in stark contrast to worsening conditions in the control group.
Enhanced Self-Management for COPD Patients: Empowering patients to manage their chronic conditions is crucial for sustainable long-term health outcomes. Breathment integrates digital COPD care into existing pathways, providing structured education programs via its app. This approach not only fills critical gaps in the patient journey but also equips patients with the tools needed for effective, independent disease management.
External Partners
- Breathment GmbH, Lead Partner, tech leader, commercialization
- IPP Ingenieurbuero Dr. Volker Kluegl, regulatory affairs, quality management systems (QMS), and clinical evaluation
- Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, access to patients, KOLs and key stakeholders in Austria (inpatient and outpatient)
References
[1] Gibson et al., “Respiratory Health and Disease in Europe
[2] Benjafield et al., “An Estimate of the European Prevalence of COPD in 2050
[3] Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes, “Diagnosedaten Der Krankenhäuser Ab 2000 (Eckdaten Der Vollstationären Patienten Und Patientinnen). Gliederungsmerkmale: Jahre, Behandlungs-/Wohnort, ICD10
[4] Aumann and Prenzler, “Epidemiologie und Kosten der COPD in Deutschland – Eine Literaturrecherche zu Prävalenz, Inzidenz und Krankheitskosten
[5] Cavailles et al., “Identification of Patient Profiles with High Risk of Hospital Re-Admissions for Acute COPD Exacerbations (AECOPD) in France Using a Machine Learning Model
[6] Firlei et al., “Die Prävalenz der COPD in Österreich – die erwartete Entwicklung bis 2020