The overarching objective of the feasibility study was to collect clinical data and evidences in a sleep lab demo regarding the acceptance, effectiveness, impact on sleep architecture and many other parameters. The aim of the study was to understand and enable the successful continuation of the development of the product, help assess the risks associated with the planned industrialization and scalability, and reduce the risks associated with the commercialization of the solution. All this has been carried out successfully, confirming we can continue investing in the product to make it market ready and introduce it in the target countries and segments defined.
Besides the clinical study, during the project we carried out deeper market analysis, stakeholders identification and engagement, technological roadmap, IPR analysis and financial forecasts.
Hence, during the period of the project, the CEO of Thomas Medical had met with sevral experts in field of sleep disorders. In Beijing, China, with one sleep lab and two potential distributors in the sleep disorders, selling CPAPs and also three potential investors. In Hong Kong, with one sleep lab and one distributor and one potential investor. In Singapore, with one potential distributor and one potential investor. In San Francisco with three potential investors. In Israel with two sleep labs, one potential distributor and and five potential investors. We had also met in Israel with four propfessionals in the sleep disorders, and experts in regulations. The purpose of the meetings where to collect professionals’ opinion on our device, to find out their interest distributing our device, once it is ready and to find out interest investing in our project. ALL professional we have met expressed high level of interest in the project and the device and showed interest getting involved in the future, some for investing and some for distributing, subject to positive results of the “Proof of Concept” clinical study. There were no sleep disorders congresses during the period of the project. We do plan to visit the “Sleep” congress in Baltimore, 2-6 June 2018.
The clinical study done in a sleep lab, in Mumbai, India, in January 2018, as main objective of the SME-1 project, we have proved our system is working successfully, stopping apnea, and snoring. We have also learnt, from the clinical study, how we should design the final product and where and how to start to sell it. This work has already began.
