About SomnoMed

Background on the Snoring and OSA Market

Despite the fact that uncomplicated snoring affects more than 30% of the population, it has been pretty much a sleeper in terms of the seriousness with which it has been treated by the medical fraternity. Even the potentially more serious — though often less irritating — related disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has only slipped into public awareness and the general medical consciousness over the last ten years.

On the basis of the gradual realisation of the long-term destructive effects on health of snoring and OSA, an entire industry has developed to the point where the treatment of these sleep disorders is now a multi-billion dollar business. Companies such as ResMed and its US competitor Respironics have grown from small start-ups to become large profitable global enterprises employing thousands of people from the burgeoning sales of Constant Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices and associated accessories.

But not all OSA patients benefit from CPAP therapy. Some estimates put overall long-term compliance rates as low as 30%. The reasons for non-compliance are many and varied but together present an ideal opportunity for any innovative manufacturer who can devise a solution that overcomes patient objections to treatment while maintaining treatment efficacy.

Development of the SomnoDent™ MAS

One such appliance has already been developed by a Sydney-based company that is busy setting up global marketing and distribution channels for its patented device. SomnoMed was formed in 2004 to commercialize its mandibular advancement splint, the SomnoDent™ MAS. SomnoMed wholly owns all intellectual property rights to the MAS, which was originally developed by orthodontist, Dr Richard Palmisano.

Listing on the ASX

The company successfully listed on the Australian Stock Exchange last year, which provided it with the financial backing necessary develop a strategic product lifecycle for the MAS™ and a fully equipped and staffed research and development dental laboratory. It is therefore well placed to support the design and development of subsequent generations of the MAS™ and further innovative treatment solutions in a global market growing at over 20% per annum.

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Product Delivery

SomnoMed is adopting an integrated multi-disciplinary approach to the management of snoring and OSA. While patients may be initially referred from a variety of sources, SomnoMed’s clinical pathway requires that all patients are initially referred to a respiratory sleep specialist to assess their suitability for the MAS and then to a dentist for fitting. General Practitioners may also be involved, both in the initial diagnosis and in the referral to the sleep physician. Typically, dentists will see a MAS patient three or four times.

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