MADISON, Wis., April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Asthmapolis (az-MAP-o-lis), the FDA-cleared mobile health solution for asthma and COPD, today announces it has raised $5 million in a Series A round from The Social+Capital Partnership (“Social Capital”). With the funds, Asthmapolis will deliver new innovations and services for its comprehensive solution of sensors, leading mobile technology and personalized support, extending its reach to the more than 50 million people living with chronic respiratory disease in the United States today.
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“Asthma alone is a $50 billion problem in the United States. We look forward to accelerating our commercial efforts to improve asthma control and produce sizable economic savings,” said David Van Sickle, CEO and co-founder of Asthmapolis. Mark Gehring, Asthmapolis president and co-founder, added, “To date we’ve helped our users achieve an extra 20,000 asthma-free days. Each day they feel better is also a day they don’t end up in the emergency department, which means reduced costs for our payer and health system customers.”
“Asthmapolis is a pioneering company at the intersection of sensors, analytics and digital health. The company boasts a strong pipeline, plus a compelling track record of successful patient outcomes,” said Ted Maidenberg, Social Capital’s general partner who joins the Asthmapolis board of directors. “In the context of health reform, Asthmapolis presents the first compelling business case in digital health for payers and providers seeking to better manage costs and outcomes for people with chronic respiratory disease.”
Asthmapolis uses a novel combination of smartphone applications and snap-on inhaler sensors that track when and how often patients use their inhaled medications. The geomedicine platform, available in both English and Spanish, is designed to help individuals with their daily preventive medications, reveal insights about their use of rescue medications and provide personalized feedback to improve their ability to successfully manage the disease.
Users receive ongoing educational outreach through email, text, mobile apps and phone support from a certified asthma educator. People who opt in may also share information about their medication use with their health care provider, giving them the ability to monitor whether their treatment is truly controlling symptoms.
The company launched a number of important partnerships in the last year, including programs with payers like Amerigroup Florida/WellPoint, providers like Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York and Dignity Health in California, and retail pharmacy and public sector initiatives through the City of Louisville.
“Through partnerships with entrepreneurs such as Asthmapolis, we are investing in ways mobile technology can help us and physicians improve the cost, quality and access to care,” said Richard Roth, VP of strategic innovation at Dignity Health. “Asthmapolis is a simple solution that is making an immediate impact on how physicians deliver care and how patients see results. The early stage success of Asthmapolis is evident in how mobile technology can empower patients, improve health and increase the quality of care.”
Asthmapolis is actively hiring for engineering, design, asthma education and other roles. To learn more about joining the team, visit: http://asthmapolis.com/careers/.
About The Social+Capital Partnership
The Social+Capital Partnership (“Social Capital”) is a partnership of philanthropists, technologists and capitalists utilizing venture capital as a force to create value and change on a global scale. The Partnership is based in Palo Alto, California.
About Asthmapolis
Founded in 2010, Asthmapolis aims to improve the management of chronic respiratory disease for people and healthcare professionals. Backed by The Social+Capital Partnership, California HealthCare Foundation and other investors, Asthmapolis is now working with organizations like Dignity Health, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Amerigroup Florida and the City of Louisville. Company recognition includes TEDMED Innovation Showcase, White House Champion of Change and Bluetooth Breakthrough Product awards. The system has been featured in The Economist, Washington Post, Fast Company, Wired and Scientific American. For more information, go to http://asthmapolis.com or email info(at)asthampolis.com.
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David Van Sickle
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SOURCE Asthmapolis
