RCSI spin-out company Phyxiom is aiming to improve the lives of people with asthma. It uses new digital technologies to provide more accurate diagnosis and precision treatment, helping patients and their healthcare providers manage symptoms more effectively.
Professor Richard Costello received the Vice Chancellor Commercialisation Innovation Award at RCSI Research Day 2026, in recognition of his role as founder of Phyxiom.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung condition where a person's airways narrow in response to triggers, such as dust, smoke or even strenuous exercise, making it difficult to breathe. Around 450,000 people live with asthma in Ireland, and for some people, it is not well controlled, leading to frequent and disruptive symptoms.
Symptoms often worsen during colder months, when people with asthma develop viral infections and may rely more heavily on medication.
The simple 'blue reliever' and 'brown preventer' inhalers have long been used to treat asthma and manage symptoms; however, newer inhalers combine different medicines to target underlying inflammation. Despite these improved treatments, their full benefits are not being achieved.
About one in 10 people with asthma cannot control their symptoms with inhalers, often experiencing severe attacks or needing stronger medication. It is thought that in some of these cases, patients may not be using the inhalers effectively. To assess this, doctors have often had to rely on patients’ own reports about their inhaler use and symptoms to adjust medications.
A 2024 report from the Asthma Society of Ireland highlighted that using inhalers correctly, including the right dose, technique and timing, is a challenge for many people living with asthma, with only 50% of people with asthma in Ireland fully adhering to their treatment, which can contribute to symptoms worsening.
To address this challenge, Phyxiom – an RCSI spin-out company co-founded by Professor Richard Costello, Professor in the Department of Medicine at RCSI and consultant respiratory physician at Beaumont Hospital – is exploring new ways to transform asthma management.
The company uses an AI platform, originally developed by Prof. Costello at RCSI, to detect whether medication is being used correctly, identify missed doses, and track how patients respond to treatment. The platform performs this analysis by gathering and monitoring real-time data on patients’ smart inhalers and spirometry devices. By providing objective data instead of relying on self-reports, Phyxiom gives clinicians clear, real-time data so they can support patients in controlling their symptoms more effectively.
This approach is supported by research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The technology enables more personalised treatment, helps predict risks, and could be integrated into everyday care in both GP and hospital settings. Phyxiom’s digital platform is helping people to avoid missed or improper doses and to stay on track with treatment, avoiding unnecessary costs.
Most importantly, the platform ensures that patients’ symptoms are managed effectively, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.
Developed with support from Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund, Phyxiom’s technology is now operational across 20 Health Service Executive (HSE) asthma clinics in Ireland, with more than 700 patients already using the new technology through the clinics. There are plans to expand to the UK and US in the future, with the potential to improve asthma control for many more patients.
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