Investigational Drug AD109 Shows Promise as Oral Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A recent Phase 3 clinical trial, in which Houston Methodist participated, has explored AD109, an investigational drug, as a potential oral treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Historically, OSA treatments have been mechanical, involving devices like CPAP machines, jaw repositioning, surgery, or nerve stimulation. However, AD109 represents a new pharmacological approach, targeting the physiological mechanisms behind airway collapse. The SynAIRgy trial evaluated AD109, a combination of aroxybutynin and atomoxetine, designed to enhance upper-airway muscle tone during sleep. The study involved 646 adults with mild to severe OSA who could not tolerate or declined positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. After 26 weeks, AD109 significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and improved oxygenation measures. Dr. Sam Beydoun, a sleep surgeon at Houston Methodist, highlighted the drug's importance as the first Phase 3 evidence for an oral therapy addressing the neuromuscular aspect of sleep apnea. The d...
