Reimagining COPD Care for 450 Million People: A Global Mission at Scale
September 29th, 2025
A global epidemic
COPD is a silent killer. It is the third leading cause of death worldwide, taking three million lives annually. More than 450 million are diagnosed, and the actual number may reach 900 million when undiagnosed cases are counted. In the EU, COPD costs €38.6 billion annually; in low- and middle-income countries, the burden is even greater due to limited access to diagnostics and care.
The human cost
COPD robs patients of breath, independence, and dignity. Many live undiagnosed for years, only to discover the disease during a hospital crisis. Families bear the burden of care, while health systems absorb escalating costs.
"COPD is not a disease of the few — it touches every community worldwide."
Pressures on healthcare and industry
• The NHS and payers: Record waiting lists, staff shortages, and unsustainable admissions. COPD is a leading driver of emergency care.
• Pharma and medtech: Demand for real-world datasets, faster evidence generation, and new tools for differentiation in a crowded market.
electronRx: a new model of care
At electronRx, based in Cambridge, UK, we are working to transform every smartphone into a lung health companion. Our ERS-presented studies demonstrate that smartphones can accurately capture lung function metrics. This proves the foundation for a model of care that is global, equitable, and scalable.
Imagine:
• A grandmother in rural India.
• A miner in South Africa.
• A teacher in Manchester.
All can test their lungs at home, with nothing more than a phone.
Why the time is now
• For patients: Hope, dignity, and independence.
• For the NHS and payers: Relief from unsustainable hospital costs.
• For pharma and medtech: Continuous, global datasets enabling adaptive research and regulatory strength.
Where we stand
The technology is in the pilot research stage. Proof-of-concept is secured. Scaling is underway. Within 18 months, our platform will be refined and ready for wider integration.
"Seven billion smartphones form the world's largest untapped health network."
eRx mission
At electronRx, we are driven by the ambition to touch the lives of hundreds of millions of people with COPD. But we cannot achieve this alone. The mission requires partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, medical technology companies, payers, and healthcare systems. Together, we can reimagine COPD care, reduce suffering, and relieve health system pressures worldwide.
The challenge is immense. The opportunity is greater still. The time is now to make solutions a reality. With smartphones in every hand, the future of lung health is within reach.
Download electronRx's ERS 2025 poster here.
