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Biopharmaceutical research group Chiesi UK and Ireland is rolling out a programme it hopes will transform chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis.

The programme will see the NHS give access to AI-enabled spirometry software, which measures lung function, to strengthen diagnostic capacity and support patients in receiving a timely diagnosis.

An estimated two million people in the UK are living with undiagnosed COPD, which can lead to avoidable disease progression. The burden of COPD also falls unevenly, with socioeconomic deprivation associated with higher prevalence and mortality.

“By bringing together Chiesi’s respiratory expertise and AI-enabled diagnostic technology, we have an opportunity to transform how COPD is identified and diagnosed, particularly for communities where the unmet need is greatest,” said Shish Patel, senior director of medical affairs at Chiesi UK. “It is our hope that this programme will not only accelerate diagnosis but help address the inequalities that mean some communities face poorer health outcomes than others.”