Summary: A recent survey commissioned by Incannex reveals that 69% of OSA patients are open to switching from CPAP therapy to a pill-based treatment, with ease of use being the top reason. The study highlights mixed satisfaction with CPAP devices, as 61% of patients report weekly sleep disruptions and nearly 70% find the machines uncomfortable.
Key Takeaways:
- High Interest in Alternative Treatments: 69% of OSA patients are willing to switch to a pill-based treatment, citing ease of use as the primary reason.
- Mixed Satisfaction with CPAP Therapy: Over half of CPAP users report being dissatisfied or neutral about their current treatment.
- Growing OSA Market: The sleep apnea device market is projected to grow significantly, indicating a need for new, effective treatment options.
A survey conducted by Quantum Research Group LLC and commissioned by Incannex, which is developing a pill-form treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gathered insights from 340 individuals diagnosed with OSA. The study explores their experiences, satisfaction levels, and openness to alternative treatment options.
According to the data gathered May 28-29, 2024, 69% of patients with OSA are willing to switch to a pill-form treatment. Ease of use is cited as the top reason to switch (by 84% of patients willing to switch).
According to the survey, patient satisfaction around positive airway pressure (PAP) devices (the most commonly prescribed therapy for OSA), of which a CPAP is the most common type, is mixed, with more than half of patients reporting that they are either dissatisfied or neutral about their treatment.
The survey found that 61% of OSA patients who use a CPAP or other PAP machine report multiple disruptions to their sleep every week. Almost 70% of patients reported that the machine is uncomfortable. Thirty-seven percent said their current treatment either had no change or worsened their overall quality of life, with another 31% reporting similar results on their sleep quality.
The survey also found that 37% of OSA patients either don’t use their PAP device every night or sometimes remove it overnight. The most common annoyances with these devices include mask discomfort (69%), dry mouth or throat (5%), and air leaks (47%).
“The US market for sleep apnea devices is expected to substantially increase from $2.02 billion in 2023 to $3.76 billion by 2032,” says Ari Zoldan, CEO of Quantum Research Group, LLC, in a release. “That staggering compound annual growth rate of 7.12% over such a short time frame demonstrates not only the size of the market for sleep apnea treatments but also the significant unmet need evident in the lack of an FDA-approved, medicated treatment for this condition.”
Incannex’s phase 2/3 FDA investigational new drug-enabling RePOSA pivotal trial is underway after dosing began in May. This trial follows closely on the heels of positive phase 2 data that demonstrated IHL-42X reduced the apnea-hypopnea index by an average greater than 50% at the low dose. The study also found that 25% of patients’ AHIs declined by more than 80%.
IHL-42X is a fixed-dose combination of dronabinol, an FDA-approved form of synthetic delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide. Both have individually shown promise in treating obstructive sleep apnea in off-label use via previous studies and are now shown to work synergistically together.
“Despite being the standard treatment, studies show that there is low compliance with CPAP machines, and this survey further confirms the need for treatment alternatives,” says Joel Latham, president and CEO of Incannex, in a release. “We look forward to advancing our clinical program in the hopes of bringing a medicated treatment option to market, a solution that we believe patients will find more convenient and comfortable.”
ID 119227656 © Alberto Jorrin Rodriguez | Dreamstime.com
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