CAELIA Health – We are transforming respiratory care

Projekt aus dem

Projektprofil

AI & Big Data

Health & Life Science

#DigitalHealth

#Asthma

#ClinicalTrials

#MedTech

Gründung geplant: 12.2026

Geschäftszweck: We are developing and commercializing a digital platform — combining a smart spacer and an AI-driven companion app — to enable personalized, non-invasive inhalation therapy. Our goal is to improve adherence, optimize outcomes, and support the most vulnerable patients first.

Standort: München

Kontakt: Bjoern.Goetzfried@Emft.Fraunhofer.de

Gründer:

Björn Götzfried

Problem

“A child who is well-controlled should show no symptoms at all.”
– Dr. Thorsten Leu, Pediatric Pulmonologist

Inhalation therapy has the potential to offer symptom-free lives to patients with asthma — yet this goal is rarely achieved in practice.

One of the biggest unsolved problems in respiratory care is the lack of adherence and the high rate of inhalation errors. Over 90% of patients use their inhaler incorrectly, resulting in less than 50% of the prescribed medication reaching the lungs.

This leads to preventable exacerbations, unnecessary hospital visits, reduced quality of life, and over $20 billion in global healthcare costs each year.

Lösung

Our vision is to enable a symptom-free life for every patient who relies on inhalation therapy.

To achieve this, we are building a next-generation inhalation system that combines smart hardware with AI-powered digital support. It addresses one of the core challenges in respiratory care: poor adherence and incorrect inhalation technique.

Our platform empowers patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to detect errors, optimize technique, and personalize treatment — bringing peace of mind to families and enabling better outcomes.

One breath at a time.

Produkt

The Serene system is a next-generation inhalation system that combines smart hardware with AI-powered digital support to ensure optimal therapy outcomes — every time.

The SereneAir smart spacer can be attached to all standard inhalers and measures inhalation flow, technique, and drug delivery in real time.

The SereneCompanion app, driven by AI, guides patients and caregivers through correct inhalation technique and provides actionable data for healthcare providers.

Together, they form a scalable platform for precision inhalation therapy — improving adherence, reducing preventable complications, and giving families peace of mind.

Designed for seamless integration into everyday life, clinical care, and respiratory trials, the system works without changing existing medications and is compatible with common inhalation devices.

This flexibility enables scalable adoption across both home and healthcare settings.

Alleinstellung

Our system is the first globally to measure inhalation technique, individual flow profile, and actual delivered dose in real time — unlocking a new level of precision in respiratory therapy.

Unlike reminder apps or basic spacers, the Serene platform actively detects silent inhalation errors and provides personalized, real-time feedback to patients and caregivers. This leads to better adherence, more effective therapy, and fewer preventable complications.

The SereneAir smart spacer is device-independent and universally compatible with all common pMDI inhalers, making it seamlessly integrable (plug & play) into existing therapy routines — without requiring changes to medication or treatment systems.

Our core technology is backed by internationally granted IP and designed for scalability beyond pediatric asthma, with future applications in adult respiratory care, COPD, and clinical trials.

Geschäftsmodell

We are building a B2B2C business model in collaboration with private clinics and private health insurers — targeting markets with a strong out-of-pocket culture and high willingness to pay for better outcomes.

The SereneAir smart spacer is sold as a medical device for home and clinical use. The SereneCompanion app is offered as a digital subscription in two tiers: a standard version and a premium concierge tier, which includes telemedicine integration via selected partners.

The optional SereneOrder module enables on-demand or automated medication refills — providing added convenience for users and smart lock-in potential for online pharmacies and distribution partners.

Our model is designed for scalable revenue across hardware, software, and services, with low-friction adoption and strong retention through integrated, personalized care.

Highlights

Accepted into the Fraunhofer AHEAD Phase I program since March 2025
Two full-time Entrepreneurs in Residence dedicated to venture development
Development of smart spacer prototype and AI companion app underway
Preparing for early clinical partnerships and proof-of-concept validation
Actively engaging with stakeholders from pharma, private clinics, and digital health

Kunde / Markt

Pediatric asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, affecting over 120 million kids worldwide. Rising air pollution and global warming are driving prevalence – especially in high-income regions such as the Gulf, U.S., and Southeast Asia (e.g., Singapore).

We plan to enter the market via clinical trials with leading private clinics and academic partners to generate early evidence and validate real-world benefits.

From there, we expand into:
• Private pediatric clinics
• Health insurers, via bonus/reward programs
• Digital health and pharmacy platforms

Our Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) exceeds €200 million.
We target self-paying parents, pediatric pulmonologists, and digital platforms.
RPM reimbursement is a strategic second phase.

Team

We are a strong core team combining deep tech expertise, proven venture building, and strategic execution power — supported by leading industry advisors.

Björn Götzfried | CEO (Entrepreneur in Residence)
• 5 years Venture Builder at Munich Re
• 11 years in Tech Transfer at Fraunhofer HQ
• Supported over 100 high-tech startup teams

Rinaldo Persichini | CTO (Entrepreneur in Residence)
• 10 years CTO and Co-Founder at Toposens
• Expert in hardware integration and process development

Christian W. | COO
• 15 years at Fraunhofer, 8 years Co-Leading Business Unit for Micro Pumps
• Responsible for strategy, business development, and operations

We are currently expanding the team with a Chief Product/Data Officer (CPO/CDO) to lead:

• IT architecture & data analytics
• (Medical) Digital product vision
• Customer insight & experience

Recruiting is underway; the role is expected to be filled before company formation.

Join Us In Building The Future Of Personalized Respiratory Care

We are currently looking for:

• Validation and cooperation partners
• Key opinion leaders in pediatric and respiratory care
• Experts in regulatory affairs and MedTech development
• Stakeholders with access to private clinics and payers in our target markets

Let’s empower millions of families to breathe easier — with peace of mind, precision, and purpose.

Get in touch and help us shape the future of respiratory health.

Get in Touch

We are transforming respiratory care – for the most vulnerable, first.