- Background
- What we're looking for
- What we can offer you
- Q&A
Many consumers struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel fully restored upon waking. While a variety of sleep aids exist, a common barrier to regular use is next day grogginess (e.g., residual sedation, impaired alertness, or “hangover” effects) that can interfere with work, driving, and daily functioning.
From a scientific perspective, next-day grogginess can arise from prolonged pharmacologic activity, non-selective receptor effects, disruption of normal sleep architecture, circadian misalignment, or slow clearance and metabolism. Consumers and clinicians increasingly seek solutions that improve sleep outcomes while preserving next-morning performance.
Advances in neuroscience, chronobiology, nutrition science, and drug delivery may enable new approaches that support sleep initiation and maintenance while minimizing residual effects.
We are looking for evidence-based solutions for occasional sleeplessness that improve sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance while avoiding next day grogginess. We welcome proposals across three modalities described below. Hybrid solutions are encouraged when they improve efficacy and next morning functioning.
- Ingestible medicinal ingredients/formulations and dietary supplements designed to reduce next-day impairment (e.g., amino acids, botanicals, minerals, targeted blends)
- Wearables and non-invasive medical devices that provide sleep benefits such as Closed-Loop Auditory Stimulation (CLAS) or Closed-Loop Electrical Stimulation (tES/tACS) devices
- Technologies shaping delivery and pharmacokinetics (PK), including controlled release, timed dosing, microencapsulation (e.g., dual-phase release for onset + maintenance with morning washout)
- Demonstrates measurable sleep benefit in preclinical, pilot, or clinical settings
- Designed to minimize next-day grogginess (alertness/performance preserved)
- Clear, reproducible mechanism of action and/or PK/PD rationale
- Preliminary safety profile appropriate for intended use
- Rapid onset (e.g., within 30–60 minutes) with minimal residual activity
- Demonstrates preserved next-morning alertness/performance in study measures
- OTC-friendly formats (gummy, capsule, beverage) with good sensory profile
- Compliant with applicable FDA/DSHEA regulations or clear path toward compliance
- Digital/behavioral programs, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)–inspired, coaching, habit shaping
- Solutions that rely on strong residual sedation as the primary mechanism
- Approaches that increase next-day impairment risk (driving/work safety)
- Treatments intended for chronic insomnia without an occasional-use pathway
- Highly invasive/clinical administration that isn’t practical for routine use
Ask the team at the company any questions you have about this partnering request.
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