Sleep apnea is a serious disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. Among the many types of sleep apnea, obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common, affecting 17% of women and 34% of men in the US. The disorder is often underdiagnosed and is estimated to affect more than 25 million Americans.

OSA occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax after sleep and cause partial or complete upper airway closure. As a result, blood oxygen levels get lowered, and the brain briefly wakes patients from their slumber. This often leads to poor sleep and aggravates other medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Besides, impaired sleep also affects work productivity, reduces functional ability, and lowers the quality of life.

Cambridge, MA-based Apnimed is a clinical-stage company that aims to develop novel therapies for sleep apnea and related disorders. On October 13th, the company announced top-line results from two Phase 2 trials, APC-003 and APC-004, evaluating AD109, its investigational, oral medicine for patients with OSA.