Phyxiom Launches to Transform Asthma and COPD Management with Groundbreaking Irish Digital Health Technology
A new chapter in respiratory care is being written in Ireland with the official launch of Phyxiom, a pioneering digital healthcare company dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Founded on over a decade of rigorous clinical research, Phyxiom is the brainchild of Professor Richard Costello, a globally recognised respiratory specialist affiliated with the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. The company’s technology, validated through multiple peer-reviewed studies published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine and supported by economic analysis from health economists, equips clinicians with precise, real-time patient data. This data enables a more accurate diagnosis, optimised treatment plans, and better patient outcomes for individuals living with chronic respiratory conditions.
A Research-Driven Spin-Out from RCSI
Phyxiom is not just another tech startup; it is a spin-out company from RCSI, born from a strong academic and clinical foundation. Its creation was supported by an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund award, which provided the resources needed to transform years of research into a commercially viable product.
The company has also achieved Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) status—an endorsement reserved for businesses with strong growth prospects and the capacity to scale internationally.
At its core, Phyxiom’s mission is to leverage advanced digital tools to bridge the gap between patient experience and clinical decision-making. Its technology platform offers a continuous, objective view of a patient’s lung function and medication use, enabling healthcare providers to adjust treatment before symptoms escalate.
A Leadership Team with Complementary Expertise
The company is led by Grace O’Donnell, an experienced technology executive serving as Chief Executive Officer, and Elaine Mac Hale, a healthcare professional taking the role of Clinical Operations Director. Both co-founders are joined by Professor Costello, who serves as Chief Medical Officer in addition to his academic post.
O’Donnell and Mac Hale oversee Phyxiom’s day-to-day operations, with O’Donnell focusing on strategy, scaling, and investor relations, while Mac Hale ensures smooth integration into clinical workflows and oversees engagement with healthcare providers.
According to O’Donnell:
Elaine and I are incredibly proud to lead this exciting RCSI spin-out company into the commercial market. We are passionate about using Richard’s groundbreaking research as the foundation to deliver transformative, patient-centric healthcare solutions, significantly improving quality of life for patients suffering from uncontrolled asthma and COPD.
Mac Hale echoes this vision, emphasising that Phyxiom’s approach prioritises ease of adoption for clinicians:
Phyxiom seamlessly integrates into existing healthcare systems, ensuring minimal disruption to clinicians’ workflows. Our evidence-based approach empowers healthcare providers with the insights needed to deliver personalised, effective, and efficient patient care.
The Science and Impact Behind the Innovation
Professor Costello has spent more than ten years researching the use of digital tools to improve respiratory disease management. His studies have demonstrated that digitally informed treatment—powered by continuous data monitoring—can:
- Reduce medication overuse by providing precise adherence data.
- Prevent avoidable hospital admissions by flagging early signs of worsening symptoms.
- Lower healthcare costs by reducing emergency interventions.
Our research, spanning over a decade, has conclusively demonstrated that digitally informed treatment significantly reduces medication use, prevents unnecessary hospitalisations, and ultimately lowers healthcare costs,” said Costello. “By providing clinicians with objective, real-time insights into lung function and medication adherence, Phyxiom fundamentally improves diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes.
Unlike traditional respiratory monitoring approaches that rely heavily on patient self-reporting, Phyxiom’s system provides objective, validated metrics directly from patients’ use of inhalers and other devices. This real-time feedback loop allows clinicians to intervene earlier, tailor medication regimens, and improve adherence.
Early Adoption and Proven Integration in Irish Clinics
Phyxiom’s platform is already operational across 13 Health Service Executive (HSE) asthma clinics in Ireland, where it has been used to monitor nearly 350 patients to date. Feedback from healthcare teams indicates that the technology has been well-received, with minimal training required for staff to begin using the system effectively.
Its integration into clinical practice is designed to be low-friction—working alongside existing electronic health record (EHR) systems and fitting naturally into standard patient care routines.
Given its success in Ireland’s public healthcare network, Phyxiom is preparing to engage with Irish private health insurers in 2025 to broaden access to its technology.
Ambitious International Expansion Plans
While Phyxiom’s initial focus has been on establishing its footprint in Ireland, the company has clear and ambitious global growth plans.
- UK Market Launch (H1 2026) – Building on its proven track record with the HSE, Phyxiom intends to enter the UK healthcare system in the first half of 2026. The move will be supported by strategic partnerships and clinical collaborations to adapt the technology to local guidelines and pathways.
- US Market Launch (2027) – Phyxiom aims to enter the highly competitive US healthcare market in 2027. Preparations are already underway to ensure seamless integration with leading EHR systems and to establish partnerships with major health providers and insurers. The US expansion will also take advantage of increasing demand for value-based care solutions, where demonstrable improvements in patient outcomes are financially rewarded.
A Significant Milestone for Irish Healthtech
The launch of Phyxiom is more than the debut of a new company—it represents a milestone in Ireland’s growing healthtech sector. By translating years of academic research into a commercially viable, scalable solution, Phyxiom is positioning Ireland as a global hub for respiratory healthcare innovation.
Its success story underscores the power of collaboration between academia, clinical practice, and entrepreneurship. The company’s trajectory also reflects a broader global shift towards data-driven, patient-centred care models that use digital tools not just for monitoring, but for actively improving health outcomes.
With a strong leadership team, a clinically validated product, and clear international ambitions, Phyxiom is well-positioned to become a leading force in digital respiratory care—offering hope and improved quality of life to millions of people living with asthma and COPD worldwide.
