SleepArchitects Company Profile

Background

Overview

SleepArchitects is a comprehensive, turnkey solution designed to assist dental professionals in integrating sleep services into their practices. The company offers a range of services, including patient education, home sleep testing, medical billing, and a portfolio of FDA-cleared sleep appliances. By providing these services, SleepArchitects aims to simplify the process of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders within dental settings.

Mission and Vision

The mission of SleepArchitects is to democratize access to obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment for dental professionals and consumers through a simple, convenient, and integrated digital experience. The company envisions a future where dental practices can seamlessly incorporate sleep medicine into their services, thereby improving patient outcomes and overall health.

Primary Area of Focus

SleepArchitects focuses on providing dental professionals with the tools and support necessary to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, using oral appliance therapy. This includes offering a comprehensive suite of services that address the various challenges associated with integrating sleep medicine into dental practices.

Industry Significance

The company plays a significant role in the dental sleep medicine industry by bridging the gap between dental practices and sleep disorder treatments. By offering a turnkey solution, SleepArchitects enables dental professionals to expand their service offerings, thereby enhancing patient care and tapping into a growing market of sleep disorder treatments.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Integration of Sleep Services: Facilitate the seamless incorporation of sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment into dental practices.

• Comprehensive Support: Provide end-to-end support, including patient education, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing assistance.

• Innovation in Sleep Appliances: Develop and offer a diverse portfolio of FDA-cleared sleep appliances tailored to various patient needs.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Oral Appliance Therapy: Specializing in the use of oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

• Patient Education: Creating engaging educational materials to inform patients about sleep disorders and treatment options.

• Medical Billing: Offering turnkey medical billing services to ensure dental practices are reimbursed for sleep medicine services.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Home Sleep Testing: Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools to conduct home-based sleep studies, facilitating convenient and accurate diagnosis.

• Digital Communication Platforms: Employing automated text communication and engaging patient education videos to enhance patient engagement and understanding.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

• Dental Practices: Enabling dental professionals to expand their service offerings by integrating sleep medicine.

• Patients with Sleep Disorders: Providing accessible and effective treatment options for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related issues.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

SleepArchitects has participated in a non-equity assistance program through the SMILE Health Accelerator, a partnership between CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER. This program is designed to support early-stage startups in the oral health sector by providing mentorship, resources, and a stipend to accelerate their growth.

Total Funds Raised

Specific details regarding the total funds raised by SleepArchitects are not publicly disclosed.

Notable Investors

The company has been supported by the SMILE Health Accelerator, which focuses on scaling solutions that improve oral health.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The capital and resources provided through the SMILE Health Accelerator are intended to assist SleepArchitects in scaling its operations, enhancing its service offerings, and expanding its market reach within the dental sleep medicine industry.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

SleepArchitects offers a diverse portfolio of FDA-cleared sleep appliances, including the Aligner Sleep Appliance® (ASA), which is designed to be used in conjunction with clear aligners. This innovative appliance addresses the needs of patients who suffer from both malocclusion and sleep disorders.

Stages of Clinical Trials or Product Development

Specific details regarding the stages of clinical trials or product development for SleepArchitects' offerings are not publicly disclosed.

Target Conditions

The primary focus is on treating obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders through oral appliance therapy.

Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

While specific timelines for upcoming milestones are not publicly available, the company's participation in the SMILE Health Accelerator suggests ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its product offerings.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Aligner Sleep Appliance® (ASA): An FDA-cleared, patented appliance that can be used in combination with clear aligners, enabling the treatment of patients with both malocclusion and sleep disorders.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Home Sleep Testing: Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools to conduct home-based sleep studies, facilitating convenient and accurate diagnosis.

• Digital Communication Platforms: Employing automated text communication and engaging patient education videos to enhance patient engagement and understanding.

Leadership Team

Alice Limkakeng | CEO

Ms. Limkakeng has over 20 years of experience in building companies as a venture/growth equity investor and senior executive in the healthcare industry. She was the Chief Business Officer of Boston Heart Diagnostics, where she led functions including business development, strategic initiatives, IT, marketing, product development, and communications. Prior to that, she was a senior investor at Bain Capital Ventures and held leadership roles in sales and marketing at Guidant Corporation/Boston Scientific.

Payam Ataii | DMD

Dr. Ataii is an award-winning graduate of Tufts Dental School and has treated more than a thousand patients with clear aligners and sleep oral appliances. He has been an Invisalign faculty member for over 10 years and was awarded the North America Educator of the Year in 2016. Dr. Ataii has presented lectures to thousands of peers and contributed to the development of patented technology to improve dental treatments.

Rob Veis | DDS

Dr. Veis is the CEO of Space Maintainers Lab and has been practicing dentistry since 1984. He taught for 12 years at USC as a Clinical Professor in Restorative Dentistry and served on the faculty of the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Veis is an internationally acclaimed lecturer on topics such as Dental Sleep Medicine and Orthodontics for the General Practice. He is also the co-author of "The Principles of Appliance Therapy for Adults and Children."

Jerald Simmons | MD

Dr. Simmons is a triple board-certified neurologist specializing in sleep disorders and epilepsy. He completed his sleep fellowship training at Stanford University Medical Center and has founded and directed several preeminent sleep disorder centers. Dr. Simmons has authored numerous publications in clinical journals and is the Founding Director of the Sleep Education Consortium, a non-profit dedicated to educating both the medical and dental communities on treating sleep disorders.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The dental sleep medicine market is experiencing growth as dental professionals increasingly recognize the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of the health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea and the expanding role of dental practices in providing comprehensive healthcare services.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the dental sleep medicine space include:

• SomnoMed (SomnoDent): A manufacturer of custom oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment.

• ResMed (Narval CC): Provides custom oral appliances for sleep apnea therapy.

• Airway Management (TAP): Offers a range of oral appliances for sleep-disordered breathing.

• Dream Systems Dental Labs (Oasys): Specializes in dental sleep appliances.

• Respire Medical (Respire): Provides custom oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment.

These competitors offer various products and services aimed at treating sleep disorders through oral appliance therapy.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

In January 2021, SleepArchitects partnered with Zephyr Sleep Technologies to incorporate the MATRx plus Treatment Planning system into their services. This collaboration aims to enhance the precision and effectiveness of oral appliance therapy by providing accurate treatment planning for patients with sleep-disordered breathing.