Apreo Health: Transforming the Architecture of Emphysema Treatment

Karun Naga, serial medtech executive and partner at the prolific incubator The Foundry, is leading the charge to transform emphysema care with Menlo Park, CA-based start-up Apreo Health. Emphysema is a respiratory disorder under the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) umbrella, resulting from chronic toxin inhalation (whether environmental, occupational, or from smoking) leading to an inflammatory process of lung necrosis. Patients may lose anywhere from 20% to 50% of their functional lung tissue, which leads to functional impairment of up to 80%. This is due to air trapped in the diseased parts of the lung, causing a state of hyperinflation in which diseased lung tissue overexpands and restricts the ability of healthier regions to ventilate effectively. With such poor ventilation, emphysema patients experience dyspnea, or shortness of breath. The shallow breathing limits basic exertion such as walking extended distances or climbing a flight of stairs and severely diminished overall quality of life.