Somnair Secures $4.3 Million in Seed Funding for Innovative Sleep Apnea Device

Somnair, a startup founded by Johns Hopkins alumni, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to develop a device aimed at managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition affecting approximately 54 million Americans. The device, designed as an alternative for patients who find continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy uncomfortable or are ineligible for surgery, is worn in the mouth and uses neurostimulation to target a nerve controlling muscle activity in the palate and throat, facilitating easier breathing during sleep.

The funding, detailed in an SEC filing, represents a pivotal advancement in tackling OSA, with the potential to mitigate associated risks like heart disease and diabetes. Early clinical trials involving 22 patients have yielded promising results, bolstering confidence in the device's efficacy. Support from MedStar Health, following Somnair's showcase at Towson University's 2024 StarTUp Accelerator, further validates the technology's promise.