Daewoong Pharmaceutical and TR Sign Digital Pulmonary Function Tester Supply Agreement, Targeting National Health Screening Demand

Targeting the Market for Early Diagnosis of Respiratory Diseases

Daewoong Pharmaceutical and TR announced on March 24 that they had signed a supply agreement for the digital-based pulmonary function tester, The Spirokit, at Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s headquarters on March 19. With this agreement, the two companies plan to strengthen their product sales network targeting hospitals, clinics, and health screening centers nationwide.

Under this contract, TR will be responsible for the development and manufacturing of The Spirokit, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical will handle distribution, sales, and marketing through its nationwide sales network.

Kim Byungsoo, CEO of TR, and Lee Changjae, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical (right), are signing the contract for The Spirokit. Daewoong Pharmaceutical

This collaboration was prompted by changes to the national health screening system starting this year, which have led to the formal inclusion of pulmonary function tests (PFT) in the general health screening items. Beginning in 2026, citizens aged 56 and 66 will be able to detect major respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) early through health screenings. According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, the prevalence rate among adults over 60 in Korea is 25.6%, but the disease recognition rate remains low at just 2.3% due to the lack of clear early symptoms. In many cases, the disease is only recognized after lung function has declined to about 50% of normal capacity.

The digital-based pulmonary function tester, The Spirokit, automatically analyzes test data to select the most appropriate results and assists in the diagnosis of COPD and asthma by providing key clinical indicators in accordance with the latest clinical guidelines for chronic respiratory diseases (GOLD, GINA). This enables medical professionals to reduce the time required to interpret results, improving convenience and efficiency in clinical practice. The device also provides real-time guidance on test procedures, breathing strength, and remaining time via a tablet PC, thereby enhancing both the convenience for test subjects and their compliance. In addition, it features real-time analysis of the subject’s breathing pattern, allowing immediate assessment of test validity.

The Spirokit consists of a 3-liter calibration syringe, a temperature-humidity-barometer, a tablet PC, and software. The device is designed to facilitate easier calibration management, which is crucial in pulmonary function testing. Calibration procedures can be performed on the tablet PC screen, with calibration results stored and managed on a server. Medical staff can operate the syringe following on-screen instructions and verify calibration status through graphical results.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical highlights that The Spirokit is a compact and lightweight wireless handheld device. With a size of approximately 16 cm and a weight of about 123 g, it offers excellent usability and portability, making it convenient for use in hospital wards or during on-site screenings. Previously, patients had to move to a dedicated pulmonary function testing room; however, The Spirokit allows the device to be brought to the patient, creating a “patient-centered testing environment,” which the company expects to realize.

Kim Byungsu, CEO of TR, said, “In clinical settings, I have frequently seen cases where patients with COPD and asthma were not diagnosed promptly at primary care institutions, leading to a worsening of their condition. Through The Spirokit, we aim to establish an environment where pulmonary function testing is possible anywhere, and, working with Daewoong Pharmaceutical, expand our reach beyond Korea to the global market.”

Lee Changjae, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, commented, “The Spirokit is a solution that improves access to pulmonary function testing and promotes early diagnosis of respiratory diseases even at primary care institutions. Daewoong Pharmaceutical will integrate The Spirokit into the national health screening program and chronic disease management projects, contributing to a faster, more accessible, and smarter testing environment for respiratory diseases.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.