Anti-snoring creators secure £1.48m NIHR funding to tackle sleep apnea at its source

Zeus Sleep Ltd has been awarded £1.48 million in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to lead one of the UK’s largest multi-centre clinical trials into Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The trial will be led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London, and will test a next-generation, non-invasive medical device designed to tackle sleep apnea by stimulating the airway at the source.

The funding follows new consumer research from Zeus Sleep, which found that 56% of adults say snoring has a more or less negative impact on their lives. More than a third (36%) report being forced to sleep in a separate room or on the sofa, while 11% say persistent snoring could damage their relationship.

Zeus Sleep’s first anti-snoring device is already available in the UK, helping individuals and their partners to reduce disruption at night. Building on this success, the company is now preparing to launch a controlled medical device for OSA in early 2026, informed by an NIHR-funded trial and supported by evidence from three previous clinical studies.

OSA affects an estimated eight million people in the UK and over one billion worldwide. This condition is characterized by repeated collapse of the airway during sleep, leading to intermittent rest, excessive daytime fatigue, increased cardiovascular risk and a higher likelihood of accidents.

Although Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the NHS gold standard, more than half of patients discontinue treatment within a year due to discomfort or discomfort, often leaving lifestyle advice as the only alternative.

The ZeusOSA device is discreetly worn under the chin at night and delivers gentle electrical stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, which helps maintain airway pressure during sleep. Unlike surgically implanted nerve stimulators, the device is non-invasive, designed for home use and is very affordable, positioning it as a potential solution for NHS uptake.

Previous trials, including NHS research in Dorset, have shown encouraging results. In these studies, 84% of participants reported improved sleep quality, 78% experienced better daytime performance and 68% reported reduced daytime sleepiness. At worst, adherence reached 85%, far exceeding the standard compliance rates for CPAP.

Professor Joerg Steier, principal investigator of the new study, said: “Obstructive sleep apnea is very common, yet non-adherence to CPAP leaves many patients without effective care.

Beyond physical health, research highlights broader health concerns. More than a quarter of respondents (26%) fear their frequent snoring leaves them permanently tired, while 13% say it causes or increases anxiety. One in ten said they would pay anything to stop snoring forever.

Nigel Clarke, chief executive of Zeus Sleep, said the funding marked a milestone. “Our consumer device is already improving lives, and with the support of the NIHR and our clinical partners, we can now build the evidence needed to bring a clinical version to the NHS,” he said. “Our mission is simple: to help people sleep better, feel better and live better.”

If successful, the trial could pave the way for a new era in sleep medicine, providing millions of patients with an effective alternative to CPAP and reducing the long-term burden of untreated apnea on the NHS.