Teva Announces New Findings Highlighting Potential of ProAir Digihaler (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Powder to Address Asthma Treatment Challenges

Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), announced new study findings based on newly established clinical thresholds on short-acting beta agonist (SABA) use that highlight real-world SABA usage among patients with asthma in the U.S. and the potential for ProAir Digihaler (albuterol sulfate) inhalation powder, a digital inhaler, to help inform treatment discussions and decisions. The findings were presented in a late-breaking oral session at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2022 Annual Meeting.

Among the study findings, nearly one-third of asthma patients made 138 or more inhalations during the 12-week study period, which was equivalent to 600 or more inhalations, or three or more canisters, per year. In this study analysis, valid inhalations are defined as events when the patient inhales at a peak inspiratory flow (PIF) rate between >18 to <120 liters/minute with no errors in use. The findings are the first application of evidence-based clinical statements from an independent U.S. expert consensus that identify risk of asthma exacerbation, including potential for a life-threatening event, based on patients’ SABA overuse. These results suggest digital inhalers may help healthcare professionals identify and address SABA reliever overuse and help inform clinical decision-making based on individual insights from objective patient SABA reliever usage data downloaded directly from their ProAir Digihaler.

“These findings shed important light on patients’ real-world use of SABA and the potential of objective data from digital health tools like ProAir Digihaler to help inform treatment decisions,” said Tanisha Hill, Senior Medical Director, Respiratory and Digital Health Medical Lead at Teva. “The findings suggest that, with ProAir Digihaler, accurate and objective data on reliever inhaler use can help facilitate treatment discussions between providers and patients.”

“Many patients with poorly controlled asthma rely on SABA when they have an asthma exacerbation,” said Njira Lugogo, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Michigan, and lead study author. “Our research shows that there is a gap between clinical recommendations and real-world management of asthma, and shows how digital tools, such as ProAir Digihaler, may help address some of these challenges.”