Knowledge bite #6: Improving quality of life for COPD patients

In this Knowledge Bite, Atena Mahboubian (PhD student at NeLL/LUMC) and Mira Gleisberg (founder of RespiQ) explain how Breath-Sense could transform care for people living with COPD.

Today, COPD exacerbations (or “lung attacks”) are difficult to predict. As a result, patients may only recognise the warning signs when it is already too late. These exacerbations can permanently damage lung function and lead to hospitalisation, significantly worsening quality of life.

Breath-Sense aims to change this through simple, non-invasive breath analysis: by detecting biomarkers directly from the lungs, we can identify early signs of an upcoming exacerbation before symptoms become severe. For the patients, early detection means they can act early, potentially preventing serious attacks, avoiding emergency room visits, and reducing hospital admissions.

By shifting COPD care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, Breath-Sense aims to help patients feel safer, stay healthier for longer, and maintain a better quality of life.

One breath at a time.