HealthFactors and Koronis Biomedical Technologies (KBT) have teamed-up to improve healthcare and outcomes for people with respiratory conditions associated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. The two companies will work on a variety of products and initiatives including algorithms that are used in advanced, “smart inhaler” devices.

Smart inhaler technology is increasingly being incorporated into the treatment of COPD and asthma as a way to assess and manage the effectiveness of related prescription medications for individual patients. The collaboration is focused around several clinical and technology advancements needed for the implementation of these treatment solutions into mainstream clinical practice.

“Connected health technology, including smart inhalers, has the ability to improve clinical outcomes, increase patient engagement, and lower the total cost of care by capturing real-time data about medication use by patients and seamlessly and securely sharing that data with health care providers,” Dan Spors, chief commercial officer at HealthFactors, said in a statement. “Our collaboration with KBT blends decades of expertise in technology, engineering, research, health care delivery and pharmaceuticals to deliver patient-centered solutions.”

The duo will partner with device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and clinicians who are focused on emerging treatments and therapies for respiratory and other complex medical conditions.

Previously KBT and HealthFactors worked together with St. Paul-based RespirTech, creator of inCourage Airway Clearance Therapy, on connected technologies used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and other chronic respiratory conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 11 million people are living with COPD in the United States, where it is the third leading cause of death.