Mosanna Therapeutics secures US$80M to advance innovative sleep apnea nasal spray

SWITZERLAND—Mosanna Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company based in Switzerland and California, has announced the successful completion of an US$80 million Series A funding round to accelerate the development of its innovative nighttime nasal spray for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

This significant investment, led by Pivotal bioVenture Partners and EQT Life Sciences, with co-lead support from Forbion, Broadview Ventures, and Norwest, marks a pivotal moment for both the company and the broader sleep apnea treatment landscape.

Additional backing came from returning investors such as Supermoon Capital, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and founding investor Forty51 Ventures.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, affecting nearly one billion people worldwide.

It is associated with a host of serious health risks, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, and excessive daytime sleepiness, which can contribute to workplace and traffic accidents.

Despite its prevalence, the majority of OSA cases remain undiagnosed or inadequately treated, largely because current therapies rely on mechanical devices that many patients find uncomfortable or disruptive.

Mosanna is seeking to transform the standard of care with its lead product, MOS118, a user-friendly nasal spray designed for bedtime use.

Unlike traditional treatments that focus on physically keeping the airway open, MOS118 targets the root cause of OSA by restoring the body’s natural airway reflex.

The spray works by activating the upper airway muscles responsible for maintaining airway patency during sleep, addressing the neurological and muscular dysfunction that underlies OSA.

As research has shown, people with OSA experience a decrease in this natural reflex during sleep, leading to airway collapse and interrupted breathing.

The newly secured funding will be used to advance MOS118 through Phase II clinical trials and to expand Mosanna’s broader product pipeline.

This approach is seen as a potential game-changer, offering a non-invasive, pharmaceutical alternative to cumbersome mechanical solutions.

Daniela Begolo, Managing Director at EQT Life Sciences, explained, “What sets Mosanna apart is its fundamentally different approach to sleep apnea, viewing it as a neurological and muscular dysfunction rather than merely a mechanical issue.”

MOS118 is the first therapy that has the potential to restore the body’s natural airway reflex through the simplicity of a nasal spray.

She added that MOS118 could significantly improve adherence and outcomes for a patient population that has long been underserved.

To guide the company through this next phase of growth, Mosanna has appointed Dr. David Weber as President and CEO.

Dr. Weber brings over 30 years of experience in drug development, capital formation, and corporate strategy, having led teams in both public and private life sciences organizations.

His leadership is expected to be instrumental in advancing Mosanna’s mission to deliver a more patient-friendly and effective treatment for sleep apnea.