Australian digital health company Adherium (ASX:ADR) has reported striking interim results from a large-scale US study showing its Hailie Smartinhaler can transform outcomes for people living with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.
The iCARE study, conducted with nonprofit healthcare provider Intermountain Health and US digital health platform CareCentra, tracked more than 850 patients across five Intermountain facilities. Early results show adherence rates up to 235 per cent higher than typical published norms of 20 to 40 per cent, with more than 60 per cent of patients reaching an average two-week adherence baseline. Notably, around 40 per cent achieved adherence rates above 80 per cent, which is a critical threshold long linked to fewer exacerbations, reduced hospitalisation, and improved quality of life.
Adherium CEO Dawn Bitz said the data was a turning point for respiratory care. “By generating actionable patient data, including biometrics from our Smartinhaler technology, the iCARE study demonstrates breakthrough adherence, unprecedented patient persistence, reduced hospitalisations, and significant potential cost savings. This data lays strong foundations for a scalable, value-based care model with global commercial relevance,” she said.
The study also highlighted the durability of engagement. More than half of enrolled patients remained active for over 12 months, significantly higher than the 30 to 45 per cent benchmark typical of digital health programs. The strongest persistence came from elderly, high-risk patients, including those with depression, often considered the hardest to reach with digital interventions.
Clinically, the benefits extended beyond adherence. Among nearly 700 patients, the study recorded meaningful reductions in inpatient admissions, 30-day readmissions, length of hospital stays, and reliance on rescue medications. These outcomes directly address payer priorities in value-based care, particularly as COPD and asthma drive tens of billions in annual healthcare costs in the U.S.
“For patients living with chronic respiratory disease, what happens between clinic visits often determines whether their condition stabilises or escalates,” said Kim Bennion, Research Director for Respiratory Care Clinical Services at Intermountain Health. “Through the iCARE program with continuous respiratory monitoring and nudging technology, we are giving our patients the tools and support to stay on therapy, avoid hospitalisations, and maintain a higher quality of life” .
Adherium’s Hailie Smartinhaler works by tracking inhaler use, identifying technique errors, and enabling real-time interventions. Combined with CareCentra’s AI-driven behavioural engagement platform, the system nudges patients to remain consistent with their treatment plans. According to Adherium, this integration has the potential to “bend the cost curve” in respiratory disease management by shifting care away from crisis-level interventions toward earlier, proactive support.
The company considers the findings a material development, positioning it for expanded contracts and payer engagement in the US and globally. While further analysis is underway, the scale of the study, involving 4,000 devices and up to 2,500 patients, underscores both the clinical and commercial potential of Adherium’s platform .
“These interim results prove that digital health can deliver both measurable patient impact and health system value at scale,” Bitz said. “We are now on track to close one of the largest historical gaps in respiratory management, unlocking value for patients, providers, payers, and investors alike."