Season 7 | Episode 19
In this special episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla offers an exclusive preview of the upcoming Sleep Medicine Disruptors course, taking place November 14-15 in Austin, Texas. She speaks with Steve Van Hout, executive director of the AASM, and Dr. David White, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, about the groundbreaking innovations reshaping sleep medicine.
Steve Van Hout explains what makes the Disruptors conference unique compared to other AASM meetings like Trends and the annual SLEEP conference. Designed to bring together clinicians, researchers, technology innovators, and venture capitalists, Disruptors aims to foster cross-industry collaboration and encourage investment in sleep medicine innovations. The conference features innovation award presentations similar to Shark Tank pitches, keynote speakers, and discussions about emerging technologies that promise to transform how we diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
Dr. White provides an in-depth preview of his presentation on pharmacotherapy for obstructive sleep apnea, sharing exciting developments in multiple drug candidates. He discusses Apnea Med’s AD-109, a combination of atomoxetine and R-oxybutynin, which has completed two phase three studies showing approximately 50% reduction in AHI across six-month and one-year trials involving over 650 patients each. With FDA submission planned for early 2026, this medication could reach the market by late 2026.
The conversation explores other promising agents including Incannex’s combination of dronabinol and acetazolamide, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors like sulthiame (recently licensed by Apnea Med), and innovative potassium channel antagonists that could be delivered via nasal spray for localized upper airway effects with minimal systemic absorption. Dr. White discusses the potential for polytherapy approaches, combining medications with devices like mandibular advancement devices or positional therapy, drawing parallels to how hypertension and diabetes are managed with multiple treatments.
The episode tackles important questions about the future of sleep medicine: Will pharmacotherapy replace PAP therapy, or will hybrid approaches become standard? What AHI reduction is clinically meaningful for cardiovascular protection and symptom improvement? How will pricing and insurance coverage affect accessibility? Both guests emphasize that while these medications may not replace CPAP entirely, they offer promising options for patients who struggle with existing therapies.
Whether you’re a sleep medicine practitioner interested in emerging treatments, an entrepreneur exploring innovation opportunities, or simply curious about the future of sleep apnea management, this episode provides essential insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of sleep medicine.
Join us for this forward-looking conversation about innovation, investment, and the technologies poised to disrupt traditional sleep medicine practice.
Dr. David White
Dr. David White is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a leading researcher in obstructive sleep apnea pharmacotherapy. His groundbreaking work on upper airway muscle activation during sleep led to the development of AD-109, a combination medication of atomoxetine and R-oxybutynin that has completed phase three trials showing approximately 50% reduction in AHI. Dr. White’s research spans multiple therapeutic approaches for OSA including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, potassium channel antagonists, and novel drug delivery systems. His expertise in translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications has positioned him at the forefront of efforts to develop pharmaceutical alternatives and adjuncts to traditional PAP therapy for sleep apnea management.
Steve Van Hout
Steve Van Hout is the Executive Director of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, where he leads strategic initiatives to advance the field of sleep medicine through innovation and collaboration. As the visionary behind the Sleep Medicine Disruptors conference series, Van Hout created a unique platform that brings together clinicians, researchers, technology innovators, and venture capitalists to foster cross-industry collaboration and investment in sleep medicine innovations. His leadership focuses on positioning sleep medicine at the intersection of healthcare and technology, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking, and attracting capital investment to accelerate the development of breakthrough diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for sleep disorders.
