NuvoAir Raises $12M to Fight Respiratory Illnesses

Monitoring Respiratory Health Through Innovative Technology

Many individuals utilize sleep-tracking applications, such as Sleep Cycle, which I personally employ. These apps are now capable of detecting events like coughing episodes during sleep.

Analyzing nocturnal cough patterns through machine learning can reveal changes indicative of underlying health conditions.

NuvoAir: A Comprehensive Respiratory Health Platform

NuvoAir embodies this concept, leveraging an application to monitor nighttime coughing alongside other vital health metrics.

The Boston-based startup has recently secured $12 million in Series A funding, spearheaded by AlbionVC, based in London.

The company experienced a substantial 500% growth surge in the first quarter of 2021, potentially fueled by heightened awareness of respiratory issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional investors in this funding round included KAYA (previously Enern), Amino Collective, and existing stakeholders Spiltan, Industrifonden, and Novartis Pharma AG (dRx Capital).

Data Integration and Functionality

NuvoAir’s functionality is achieved through the integration of several data sources.

These include a Bluetooth-enabled spirometer for remote lung function monitoring, a sensor for asthma and COPD inhalers, and compatibility with Fitbit devices.

The platform also incorporates data from NuvoAir Cough, which analyzes alterations in nighttime coughing patterns.

Business Model and Impact

NuvoAir’s core business model centers on assisting health plans, insurance providers, and healthcare systems in reducing the expenses associated with managing patients with severe respiratory illnesses.

It also streamlines the delivery of care for these individuals.

The technology is also licensed to pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations for use in clinical trials, on a per-user basis.

Globally, over 500 million people are affected by chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Managing these conditions incurs an estimated annual cost of $300 billion.

NuvoAir asserts that its solution leads to a reduction of more than 39% in urgent care consultations.

Comparison to Other Digital Health Companies

NuvoAir shares similarities with companies like Livongo, which focuses on diabetes management and has raised $235 million, and Omada Health, which addresses chronic illnesses and has secured $256.5 million in funding.

These organizations all utilize increasing volumes of health data to effectively manage ongoing medical conditions.

Future Plans and Funding Allocation

The newly acquired funding will be allocated to several key areas.

These include accelerating the expansion of the NuvoAir digital care platform in both the U.S. and Europe, furthering the development of innovative products and services, and bolstering support for NuvoAir’s partners and customers involved in decentralized clinical trials worldwide.

Founder's Vision and Motivation

Lorenzo Consoli, the founder and CEO of NuvoAir, shared his personal connection to the field.

“My childhood experiences with severe asthma, coupled with family members affected by COPD and asthma, deeply motivated me,” Consoli explained.

“I realized existing healthcare systems often fail to provide consistent, daily support, intervening only during hospitalizations – often too late.”

He added, “My time with Novartis Respiratory Franchise revealed the potential of technology and digital biomarkers in predicting treatment response and hospitalization risk, inspiring me to establish NuvoAir in 2016.”

AlbionVC’s Perspective

Dr. Christoph Ruedig, a partner at AlbionVC, stated: “We are pleased to support NuvoAir, a leading digital health company operating in both European and U.S. markets.”

“The company has developed a robust respiratory disease management ecosystem, supported by strong clinical evidence and a scalable care model that benefits patients, payers, and healthcare providers.”