Gecko Health Innovations, a smart inhaler company affiliated with MIT, is currently developing an improved version of a sensor-based inhaler cap that can aid in reminding asthma sufferers when to take a dose of their meds — a helpful measure that can help save lives. Now, Gecko Health might be able to crank out updates for its device in an even quicker capacity, all thanks to Big Pharma.

Formerly known as GeckoCap, the Cambridge, Mass.-based innovation firm was purchased by Teva Pharmaceuticals in late September, and according to Gecko Health co-founder Yechiel Engelhard, the collaboration with Teva is an advantageous coup.

"It's not about selling the company, but really being able to achieve what you want to achieve," added Engelhard, who is also the company's active CEO.

Gecko Health's smart inhaler, CareTRx, was initially introduced to the public in 2014 as a paired cap device and app. The inhaler's hardware cap comes implanted with onboard memory, so that when users like asthmatics and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) press down on the cap to release a dose, the sensor-tailored cover transmits data to the installed mobile app. In turn, the app organizes the data — such as what time a dose is typically taken, on the app's cloud. Under the user's discretion, the aggregated data can be given to medical professionals and other like-minded individuals if necessary.

Since its initial launch, researchers on the Gecko Health team have continued to tool away at the smart inhaler, adding features and hardware to attract not only new customers, but new partners as well — and in the case of Teva, its due diligence seems to have paid off. 

Via: MIT News