At this time of year as Winter beckons, many of us may come down with a respiratory virus or infection. After some treatment and rest most of us will bounce back and return to full health. 

Sadly, this is not the reality for everyone with poor lung health. 

One in five people in the UK will develop a chronic lung disease during their lifetime, and more than 55 million people globally are thought to be living with one according to figures from 2021. 

And these lung conditions are taking on a toll on the economy as well as on the health and wellbeing of people across the UK – the total economic cost was estimated at £188bn in 2019. 

This is why over the past year, LifeArc have partnered with Asthma + Lung UK to look at developing a guide to create innovations that could make it easier, and faster, to diagnose chronic lung conditions via a simple lung test. 

While the underlying conditions vary, the symptoms are often the same – persistent cough and breathlessness.  

“On a couple of occasions my breathing was so severe that I couldn’t leave home at all for several months at a time.”

Person living with undiagnosed breathlessness who has experienced symptoms for 10 years. 

For most, the first step is a visit to their General Practitioner (GP). What follows can be years of uncertainty: repeated appointments, multiple tests, and even trips to A&E, yet often without clear answers. Current diagnostic tests are complex, hard to access and rarely provide a definitive diagnosis. Misdiagnosis is common, leading to treatments that may be ineffective or even harmful. 

There is an urgent need for simple, affordable tests in GP clinics that can accurately diagnose chronic lung conditions or quickly refer patients for specialist care. Earlier diagnosis means patients can access the right treatment and protect their lungs from further damage. 

A breath of fresh air

Together, LifeArc and Asthma + Lung UK developed guidance for innovators to accelerate the introduction of new diagnostic tests into primary care.  

Through focus groups, interviews and surveys, we engaged with over 100 people living with lung disease, around 30 healthcare professionals, and 30 stakeholders from the HealthTech innovation ecosystem. This collaborative effort has resulted in a target product profile (TPP) for a new ‘simple lung test’ designed for the GP setting. 

We’re proud to launch this TPP at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting this week. Our goal is to have impact in three key areas: 

• guide innovation projects to meet real-world needs and avoid pitfalls that limit adoption
• inspire creative solutions from innovators to address this critical gap
• stimulate funding for respiratory diagnostics in primary care

“We hope our TPP inspires action from developers and funders to drive change for people living with chronic lung disease – ending the long, frustrating path to diagnosis and reducing the number of people who are misdiagnosed.” 

Rebecca Holmes, Scientific Director in the Translational Challenge Leadership Group

Tackling respiratory disease at the community level is a priority for the NHS and globally. Our guide for innovation aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to shift care from hospital to community, focus on prevention, and embrace digital solutions.