Itamar Medical Provides Highlights of Recent Survey in Sleep Test Market

Significant Majority Expect Home Sleep Apnea Test Usage to Expand and in-lab Usage to Decline

Most Clinicians Expect More than Half of Future Sleep Diagnostics Will Be At-Home Tests

Results Indicate Vast Majority of Participants Use HSAT in Their Practices Today 

CAESAREA, Israel, April 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itamar Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ITMR), a leading medical device and digital health company focused on the integration of sleep apnea management into the cardiac patient care pathway, today announced results from a recent survey to health care professionals that covered sleep testing dynamics in their practices during 2020 and expectations for future use of Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) versus Polysomnography (PSG) testing performed in sleep laboratories.

Key findings of the survey included:

• 93% of the health care professionals surveyed currently use HSAT in their practices
• HSAT represents more than 50% of the daily test volume in 66% of the practices
• Compared to pre-COVID-19 test mix:
  • Approximately 67% of respondents indicated PSG usage decreased
    • 32% and 35% indicated PSG usage decreased significantly and moderately, respectively
  • Approximately 66% of respondents indicated HSAT usage increased
    • 32% and 34% indicated HSAT usage increased significantly and moderately, respectively
• Approximately 39% and 25% expect HSAT usage to be 50% and 75% or higher respectively of test mix post-COVID-19
• Approximately 27% use only or mostly disposable HSAT
• Ease of Use was noted as the most important feature for an HSAT, followed by Reliability and Accuracy

“Due to COVID-19 infection risks, sleep labs were forced to close, hindering access to in-lab testing. As a result, sleep clinicians relied on home-based testing solutions which played a vital role in enabling them to continue to diagnose patients and empower the commencement of their patients’ care pathway," said Gilad Glick, CEO of Itamar Medical. “We were delighted to see that HSAT was considered an appropriate alternative to PSG, with the heightened awareness of the many benefits of HSAT solutions and, as this survey indicates, that most clinicians believe that a shift from PSG to HSAT is here to stay after the pandemic is under control.”

“Sleep apnea is a serious health disorder that if left untreated is a risk factor for other life-threatening disorders, including diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While sleep apnea effects an estimated 54 - 60 million people in the U.S, roughly 80% of sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated, largely due to the lack of awareness as to the serious nature of the disorder. The innovation in home-based testing and the shift from PSG to HSAT can improve this situation dramatically,” stated Omar E. Burschtin, Associated Prof. Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Medicine at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

“According to claims data published by the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and extrapolated to the overall covered population, PSG constituted about 2/3 of the approximately five million annually performed sleep tests in the US, with HSAT testing representing the remaining 1/3. Based on the results of this survey, we are encouraged that an approximate 50/50 percent mix between the two modalities in the future appears supported,” concluded Glick.

The survey, designed by Itamar Medical, was in the majority conducted by independent sleep medicine publications (Sleep Review and RT Sleep World) during February and March 2021 to determine the current dynamics of the sleep apnea diagnostic market and perceived impact of COVID-19 on traditional clinical environments. A total 213 sleep professionals participated in the survey including physicians, technicians, respiratory therapists, and sleep clinic directors and managers.

About Itamar Medical Ltd.
Itamar Medical is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of non-invasive medical devices and solutions to aid in the diagnosis of respiratory sleep disorders. Itamar Medical commercializes a digital healthcare platform to facilitate the continuum of care for effective sleep apnea management with a focus on the core sleep, cardiology and direct to consumer markets. Itamar Medical offers a Total Sleep Solution to help physicians provide comprehensive sleep apnea management in a variety of clinical environments to optimize patient care and reduce healthcare system costs. The Company’s key product, WatchPAT^™, is commercially available within major markets including the US, Japan, and Europe. Itamar Medical is a public company traded on the Nasdaq and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchanges, and is based in Caesarea, Israel with U.S. headquarters based in Atlanta, GA. For additional information visit www.itamar-medical.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that otherwise include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will", "should", "would", "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. For example, when we discuss expectations for future use of Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) versus Polysomnography (PSG) testing performed in sleep laboratories, we are using forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including events and circumstances out of Itamar Medical's control and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Itamar Medical's current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed from time to time by Itamar Medical in reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority (“ISA”), including the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 20-F which is on file with the SEC and the ISA. Except as otherwise required by law, Itamar Medical undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Itamar Medical Investor Relations Contact (U.S.)
Leigh Salvo
Gilmartin Group
Phone: +1-415-937-5412
investors@itamar-medical.com