Stockholm-based respiratory health startup NuvoAir is rolling out a new app that can record coughs in a home setting in order to help clinicians detect possible conditions like asthma and COPD.

Called NuvoAir Cough, the app will include an AI-backed algorithm that can detect a cough or burst of coughs and send that information to the user's care team. Clinicians can access information about their patient's coughing patterns over time.

According to the company, users are able to use the tool at night or when working quietly.

This will be part of the NuvoAir Home platform, which already included an FDA-cleared spirometer and devices to measure physical activity, pulse oximetry, weight change and air quality.

WHY IT MATTERS

Respiratory illnesses are fairly common in the U.S. According to the CDC, 7% of children and 8% of adults are living with asthma. However, not all asthma is managed. In fact, more than 60% of adults with the condition have uncontrolled asthma.

Several tech companies are looking for ways to help patients manage their respiratory conditions with digital tools.

"Our vision is to offer a comprehensive care platform that empowers respiratory patients to better manage their condition and enables physicians to make data-driven care decisions, leading to better outcomes," NuvoAir's CEO, Lorenzo Consoli, said in a statement. "Understanding cough patterns is a very important step in the right direction."

THE LARGER TREND

NuvoAir has been in the digital health scene for some time. In 2020, the company inked a deal with Roche Italy to team up on technology for cystic fibrosis, a condition that causes the build-up of sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system.

In 2019, NuvoAir landed $3 million in funding in a round led by Industrifonden, with participation from Investment AB Spiltan, to grow its team and enter new markets.

This isn't the only company to work in the cough monitoring space. In March, Hyfe, an app that tracks user's coughing habits, went live in Germany, the U.K. and Ireland. Like NuvoAir, it uses acoustic AI algorithms to analyze its users' coughs. The app uses individual markers, including volume and regularity, to enable people to identify underlying illnesses and detect anomalies.