electronRx cues up launch of digital respiratory platform

UK-based electronRx will launch a digital health technology (DHT) to help patients with respiratory disease manage their condition at home, called pDx, at the HLTH 2025 show in Las Vegas next month.

The new app is an extension of electronRx's purpleDx DHT – first launched earlier this year – which uses the camera in a smartphone to measure changes in blood flow around the face that are invisible to the human eye as a form of cardiopulmonary assessment device.

The changes in blood flow can serve as digital biomarkers for metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and tidal volume, providing insights into a range of respiratory disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and pulmonary hypertension.

Clinicians can already tap into the data generated by purpleDx for remote patient monitoring via a bundled clinical dashboard, but pDx takes the platform to a new level by layering in additional functions, including tailored questionnaires and access to real-time, detailed results for patients.

It also extends the DHT so it can be used by any device with a camera and screen, including tablets and laptops, and helps doctors remotely assess cardiopulmonary function, track disease progression, and adjust treatment protocols on the fly.

The platform can also be used as a tool in clinical development of respiratory therapeutics, with electronRx estimating a 15% to 20% reduction in study duration thanks to continuous endpoint measurement and reduced site visits.

According to electronRx, the platform can enhance the detection, monitoring, and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases, which are collectively the third leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 3 million lives are cut short by COPD alone each year.

At the moment, most patient monitoring is carried out using traditional spirometry, which provides only periodic snapshots, rather than continuous insights into patients' lung function.

"The platform's scalable architecture supports integration into existing care pathways, allowing for proactive intervention and reduced reliance on in-person visits," commented Dr Bipin Patel, chief executive and founder of the Cambridge-based company.

"By facilitating continuous monitoring, pDx helps clinicians personalise care while improving patient adherence and reducing healthcare burden," he added. "Most importantly, it gives patients greater flexibility and control over their healthcare journey."

The HLTH show is taking place from 19th to 22nd October this year at The Venetian Expo Centre in Las Vegas.