Aishang Breathing Targets 100 Million COPD Patients with Dual-Mode Solution to Bridge the Last-Mile Gap in Home Oxygen Therapy
On April 9, 2018, The Lancet, a prestigious international medical journal, published research data from Academician Wang Chen: China has approximately 100 million patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These patients require daily oxygen therapy, with strict requirements for the concentration, flow rate, and duration of oxygen supply.
Data show that in 2016, oxygen concentrators accounted for as high as 42.2% of adverse events involving Class II medical devices nationwide in China.
In 2015, Zhang Jianhua founded AI SHANG HU XI. At its inception, the company received core algorithm technical support from an Alibaba subsidiary and R&D platform support from Shanghai University. Leveraging these resources, the company successfully developed an oxygen therapy safety monitor. Reportedly, this device can real-time monitor patients' oxygen concentration, flow rate, and duration, ensuring safe oxygen inhalation.
VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that since its launch in July this year, the AiShangHuXi Oxygen Therapy Safety Monitor has sold 2,000 units, partnered with 32 companies, and signed embedded cooperation agreements with more than a dozen oxygen concentrator manufacturers.
Leveraging Smart Hardware as an Entry Point to Chronic Disease Management
AI SHANG HU XI is committed to providing safe home oxygen therapy equipment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, and other conditions.
In reality, the oxygen concentration of oxygen concentrators gradually declines over time. Data shows that China’s annual incremental market for oxygen concentrators is approximately 1 million units, indicating a substantial installed base and significant growth potential. In response, AI SHANG HU XI has developed two business models tailored to market conditions:
External Mode: Equipping existing oxygen concentrators on the market with external devices;
Built-in Mode: Install the monitor inside the oxygen concentrator through collaboration with the manufacturer.
AI SHANG HU XI Oxygen Therapy Safety Monitor (External)
By scanning the QR code with the Ai Shang Hu Xi Oxygen Therapy Safety Monitor, healthcare providers can monitor the patient’s entire oxygen inhalation process in real time, including oxygen inhalation duration, flow rate, and concentration. In addition to current data, historical data and patient health records can also be accessed. Furthermore, oxygen temperature is a key parameter monitored by this device to prevent malfunctions caused by excessively high or low temperatures.
Oxygen Therapy Safety Monitoring Platform: This platform provides intelligent analysis and smart alerts for oxygen therapy data, offering timely reminders and corrections when indicators exceed the normal range (oxygen concentration error controlled within 3%, oxygen flow rate precise to 0.1 L/min). Data is stored in real-time on the cloud, allowing family members and physicians to track patients' oxygen inhalation data via the "Ai Shang Hu Xi" platform (WeChat Official Account) to ensure safety and support clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Zhang Jianhua stated that selling smart hardware and providing professional guidance and assistance on the use of medical devices to patients and their families is only the first step for AI SHANG HU XI. The company’s ultimate goal is to connect data from the COPD patient population, expand its business based on customer needs, and ultimately return to the core of chronic disease management.
In the early stages, the Ai Shang Hu Xi platform manually established health records for COPD patients. As the patient base expanded, the platform integrated remote monitoring technology to incorporate extensive patient data. Starting with preventive education and guided by physicians, it monitors patients’ implementation of care plans, ultimately achieving improved health outcomes.
Significant Experience Advantage, with Prospects for Government Collaboration
In the healthcare sector, experience-driven approaches appear more compelling. Founder Zhang Jianhua, originally a physician in internal medicine, practiced for 16 years and previously established Shanghai Hongshang Medical Device Co., Ltd., which specialized in the sales and service of ventilators and oxygen concentrators, thereby accumulating extensive medical and channel resources.
Zhang Jianhua introduced that the majority of physicians on the AiShang HuXi platform are respiratory specialists from Tier 2 and Tier 3 hospitals with whom we have previously collaborated. Current product promotion leverages support from these former partner physicians, as well as a substantial base of distributors accumulated in the early stages, who jointly promote the platform alongside oxygen concentrator sales.
Regarding the team, Ai Shang Hu Xi currently has a nine-member advisory team, all from the respiratory departments of renowned hospitals, with most holding the title of Chief Physician.
In terms of business expansion, Zhang Jianhua stated that in addition to commercial sales, they are also negotiating with the government to launch a pilot program in Shanghai. Under this initiative, aligned with the assessment system, the government would purchase equipment for use by the elderly.
Currently, the project is undergoing Pre-A round financing.