National Post (National Edition)
IMPACT Helps a Vancouver Start-up Bring Its Anti-Snoring Device to Market
Zennea Technologies, CEO Rachel Chase discusses how the IMPACT program is helping her company bring an anti-snoring device to market.
When Rachel Chase co-founded Zennea Technologies three years ago, she had a clear goal: create a solution to a real problem. In this case, the solution was a clinically-proven medical device to help combat chronic snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. After working with various partners on development and research, Zennea was ready to conduct clinical trials. The company looked to the University of Calgary’s IMPACT Clinical Trials Accelerator for help in taking the next step.
How did you learn about the IMPACT program?
We joined Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a Canadian mentor program. Vancouver, in particular, has a great health-focused sub-program under CDL. At its pitch and mentor events, you get access to resources and potential investment opportunities. We were lucky enough to meet Dr. Chen Fong, one of the leaders of the health side of CDL. He introduced us to his colleague Dr. Derek Exner, the Medical Director of the IMPACT program. That’s how it began.
What were you hoping to achieve by partnering with the program?
We had been doing some basic lab tests and knew we also needed to do a clinical study. We were in the process of setting one up in Houston, but we found it would be a very capital-intensive investment — millions of dollars — to undertake. That’s difficult for a small, early-stage start-up. We talked to Dr. Exner about figuring out the most optimal, cost-effective study. He suggested we design the study we wanted and offered to help us execute it. It was very easy to say “yes.”
Would clinical trials be something you could do on your own?
It’s very difficult, but not impossible. IMPACT streamlined the process for us, and being a start-up, you’re always working on so many different things at the same time, wearing multiple hats, and having someone say, “Here’s the answer to your problem,” makes life a lot easier.
What would you tell other start-ups who are thinking about working with IMPACT?
Having the opportunity to have a contract research organization that’s skilled and that will reduce costs just makes it so much easier from an execution point of view. It takes a lot of pressure off our team to have someone so skilled be able to help us and allow us to feel confident in the results we’re getting. It’s a great program.