Somna Therapeutics LLC
Germantown
www.somnatherapeutics.com
www.rezaband.com
Innovation: Reza Band
Approximately 20 million people in the United States suffer from chronic acid reflux. Historically, clinicians could treat these patients with acid reducing drugs, invasive surgery or recommendations to change their lifestyle and sleeping habits (i.e., sleep sitting up).
Now, thanks to Dr. Reza Shaker, chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, they have another option.
The Reza Band is a first-of-its-kind non-medication, non-surgical medical device designed to reduce symptoms of acid reflux.
“The device provides a small amount of pressure in the cricoid area of the neck, right below a person’s Adam’s apple,” said Nick Maris, president and chief executive officer of Germantown-based Somna Therapeutics, the company established to bring Reza Band to the market.
The Reza Band is a soft comfort band that clasps around a patient’s neck. An ergonomically shaped cushion applies pressure to the front of the patient’s neck, which prevents reflux from passing above a person’s upper esophageal sphincter. This process, in turn, reduces reflux symptoms such as constant coughing, problems swallowing, a hoarse voice and sleep interruptions, Maris said.
According to Maris, research proves that traditional treatments for acid reflux are only 50 percent effective in helping patients with the condition. Sleeping upright is uncomfortable and inconvenient and surgery is costly and invasive, he said.
“Early clinical testing of the Reza Band shows symptoms are significantly reduced or eliminated within the first two weeks of use. Eighty-five percent of patients who tested the product were satisfied with the results,” Maris said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Reza Band in March. The product sells for $299.
