Adherium’s Smart Inhaler Cuts Patient Care Costs 57% in Major US Study
Two independent studies at ATS 2026 validate Hailie Smartinhaler’s role in transforming respiratory care
Adherium Limited (ASX: ADR) has announced that two independent studies featuring its Adherium Hailie Smartinhaler technology are being presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2026 International Conference in Orlando, Florida (15–20 May 2026), one of the world’s most influential forums for respiratory medicine. Neither study was company-initiated, making the findings independent clinical validation of the technology’s real-world impact.
The headline results from the IMH iCARE study are striking: a 57% reduction in total cost of care (from US$36,837 to US$15,899 per patient per year), 50% fewer hospital admissions (p<0.001, n=631), 20% fewer emergency department visits (p<0.05, n=436), and 92% patient retention at 12 months. A separate paediatric study at Montefiore Health System exposed a near-doubling gap between self-reported and objectively measured medication adherence.
Dawn Bitz, Chief Executive Officer, Adherium Limited
“We are seeing a consistent and growing body of evidence demonstrating the value of objective data generated by Hailie® SmartInhaler® when combined with continuous patient monitoring, behavioural engagement technologies and clinical care support.”
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What the data shows: inside the two ATS 2026 studies
iCARE: one of the largest real-world respiratory monitoring programs conducted to date
The iCARE study is a landmark two-year program conducted at Intermountain Health (IMH), a nonprofit integrated health system operating 33 hospitals across six western US states and nationally recognised for evidence-based care. The study enrolled more than 1,000 patients with COPD and asthma, making it one of the largest real-world respiratory monitoring datasets generated to date.
Adherium’s Hailie Smartinhaler devices were the only devices attached to patients’ inhalers, solely responsible for capturing inhaler adherence data. The broader care model incorporated a connected smart spirometer, CareCentra’s AI behaviour shaping platform, and IMH pulmonary disease navigators, creating a continuous, multimodal monitoring environment between clinic visits.
The four headline outcomes from the iCARE data presented at ATS 2026 are:
- 57% reduction in total cost of care: US$36,837 → US$15,899 per patient per year (PPPY)
- 50.3% reduction in hospital admissions (p<0.001, n=631)
- 20% reduction in emergency department visits (p<0.05, n=436)
- 92% patient retention at 12 months; 89.4% at 18 months (n=1,049)
Dr. Peter Crossno, Enterprise Senior Medical Director, Respiratory Care, Intermountain Health; Principal Investigator, iCARE
“We have moved from reactive care to proactive care. We have moved from sick care to healthcare.”
Montefiore study: the hidden adherence gap in paediatric patients
A separate investigator-initiated study led by Montefiore Health System, whose medical specialties rank in the top 1% of the nation’s hospitals and which is recognised as one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, enrolled 23 paediatric patients to examine a specific challenge in respiratory care: the accuracy of self-reported medication adherence.
The findings were pronounced. Self-reported adherence measured 79.0%, while objectively measured adherence via Hailie Smartinhaler devices came in at 41.5% (p<0.001), meaning clinicians were overestimating true adherence by nearly 2x. The study also found that inhaler technique errors were prevalent among patients, but improved meaningfully with Hailie-enabled education, identifying these as correctable behavioural barriers rather than permanent compliance failures.
Dr. Marina Reznik, Vice Chair, Clinical and Community-Based Research, Professor, Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
“Real-time, objective medication event monitoring closes that gap between what patients think they’re doing and what they’re actually doing. That data changes everything—both outcomes and economics.”
What do these results mean together?
Objective medication adherence monitoring means using a sensor-equipped device, such as the Hailie Smartinhaler, to record exactly when and how a patient uses their inhaler, rather than relying on what a patient recalls or reports. Self-reporting is subject to memory bias and social desirability, which the Montefiore data confirms can produce estimates that are nearly double the true figure.
This distinction matters enormously in Value-Based Care models, where healthcare systems and insurers are paid for delivering measurable health outcomes (such as fewer hospitalisations and lower total cost) rather than simply for conducting consultations. Objective adherence data is the foundational input these models require: without it, payers cannot accurately assess risk, and clinicians cannot distinguish between a treatment failing and a patient not taking it.
The four converging findings across both ATS 2026 studies are:
- Subjective adherence is systematically overestimated by nearly 2x
- Inhaler technique errors are common but correctable using Hailie Smartinhaler devices
- Improved adherence and technique are associated with reductions in healthcare utilisation and cost
- Objective, continuous monitoring, aided by technology and human oversight, enables earlier and more timely intervention
| Study | Population | Key Finding | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCARE (IMH) | 1,049 COPD/asthma patients | 57% cost reduction; 50% fewer admissions; 20% fewer ER visits | p<0.001 / p<0.05 |
| Montefiore | 23 paediatric patients | Self-reported adherence 79.0% vs objective 41.5%: nearly 2x overestimate | p<0.001 |
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
How ATS 2026 evidence maps to Adherium’s Value-Based Care growth strategy
The evidence presented at ATS 2026 directly reinforces Adherium’s stated commercial strategy. As outlined in the company’s quarterly report (ASX: 29 April 2026), Adherium has been building the three pillars required for US Value-Based Care entry: people, infrastructure, and evidence. The iCARE and Montefiore data represent a significant addition to the evidence pillar.
On the infrastructure side, Adherium launched its proprietary HailieCare platform in November 2025. The platform integrates objective medication adherence and technique data with clinical support resources, enabling scalable, outcomes-focused respiratory management. This positions the company to move beyond device supply into direct participation in care delivery contracts.
Adherium has also established its own care team to provide the human oversight layer, directly mirroring the clinical navigation model that underpinned iCARE’s results at IMH. With the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) channel operating foundation now established, the company’s next commercial phase targets Value-Based Care contracts and strategic alliances with connected care partners, where improved outcomes translate into higher-value insurer agreements.
Key company metrics and milestones supporting this strategy include:
- Hailie Smartinhaler: US FDA-cleared; more than 180,000 devices sold globally
- HailieCare platform launched: November 2025
- RPM channel: operating foundation established
- Next phase: Value-Based Care contracts and strategic alliances with connected care partners
Dawn Bitz, Chief Executive Officer, Adherium Limited
“With our proprietary HailieCare platform and our expanding clinical support capabilities now in place, Adherium is well positioned to not only enable, but deliver measurable outcomes at scale.”
The combination of independent clinical evidence at scale, a proprietary platform, and an in-house care team places Adherium in a position to compete directly for outcome-based contracts as US healthcare systems continue transitioning toward Value-Based Care models.
Don’t Miss the Next Healthcare Breakout on ASX
Big News Blast delivers FREE breaking ASX healthcare news directly to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Join 20,000+ subscribers already staying ahead of the market. Click the “Free Alerts” button to start receiving alerts the moment market-moving healthcare announcements hit the ASX.