SleepQ 2.0: AI-Powered Digital Therapeutic for Insomnia Gains Momentum
A new generation of digital insomnia treatment is emerging with SleepQ 2.0, developed through a collaboration between Handok and Welt. This innovative device leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize treatment and optimize medication timing, offering a promising new approach to managing chronic sleep difficulties.
The Rise of Digital Therapeutics for Insomnia
Insomnia affects millions worldwide and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is widely recommended as a first-line treatment. Handok and Welt have partnered to address the limitations of traditional CBT-I – namely, accessibility and convenience – with SleepQ, a digital therapeutic delivered via a smartphone app. Approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2023, SleepQ provides a six-week program focusing on sleep restriction, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, relaxation techniques, and sleep hygiene education.
SleepQ 2.0: Introducing AI-Powered Precision
The latest iteration, SleepQ 2.0, integrates ‘Agent Z,’ an AI-based medication timing platform. This technology analyzes patient sleep behavior, physiological signals, and lifestyle patterns collected through smartphones and wearable devices in real-time. Welt CEO Kang Seong-ji explains that Agent Z acts as a “Drug OS,” questioning patients and guiding them to the optimal time to take medication. The system aims to predict when sleeping pills are needed and when they can be avoided, providing personalized guidance.
Clinical Results and Real-World Impact
Early clinical results demonstrate the potential of SleepQ. Patients have reported improvements in insomnia symptoms within weeks of use, with some experiencing relief from co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety. One 53-year-traditional female patient with menopausal depression felt improvement within two weeks, even as a 45-year-old male with over a decade of insomnia saw significant sleep quality improvements after eight days. Clinical trials have also shown a 15% increase in sleep efficiency among patients using SleepQ compared to baseline measurements at the seven-week mark.
Expanding Reach and Future Plans
Currently, SleepQ is being prescribed at approximately 20 general hospitals and 60 clinics in Korea, with prescriptions steadily increasing through Handok’s sales network. Welt is also pursuing expansion into new areas, including treatments for eating disorders and blood sugar management. The company is conducting non-face-to-face clinical trials in Germany with Charite, Europe’s largest university hospital, with the goal of obtaining listing in the German Digital Therapeutic Device Coverage System (DiGA) by 2027. Discussions are underway to launch a localized sleeping pill in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) combining AI QR code technology.
Looking Ahead: KOSDAQ Listing and a Growing Market
Welt is preparing for a listing on the KOSDAQ market in 2027, having signed a listing management contract with NH Investment & Securities in July 2024. CEO Kang Seong-ji emphasizes the importance of building trust through data and clinical trials as the digital healthcare market continues to evolve. The company is also exploring innovative business models, such as embedding AI-powered QR codes into generic drugs to provide patient management services and potentially increase their value.