Pinpointing individuals at risk and in the earliest stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using radiology and biomarker tracking in order to try to stop small airway destruction with inhaled therapy is the focus of the COPD Venture team.
COPD represents an enormous need and opportunity for interception. While smoking is a dominant influence in the development of COPD, it is not the only factor involved. If we can interfere in the progression of this condition across at-risk smokers and individuals with mild, early COPD (GOLD 1 stage), we could have an important impact on pulmonary wellness worldwide.”
The Opportunity:
COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing problems.12 It is the third leading cause of death worldwide and more than 15 million Americans are diagnosed with the disease.12, 13 While smoking is the main contributing factor for COPD in the United States (U.S.), air pollutants in the home and at work, genetics and respiratory illness also play a role, with indoor air quality having a greater impact in developing countries.14 The economic burden of COPD in the U.S. was approximately $50 billion in 2010, with indirect costs of $20 billion and direct expenditures of $30 billion.12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. http://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html. Accessed December 2015.
13 World Health Organization. The top 10 causes of death. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/. Accessed December 16, 2015.
14 Guarascio, AJ. The clinical and economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the USA. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2013 Jun 17;5:235-45. doi: 10.2147/CEOR.S34321. Print 2013.