BOAS treatment in development is recognized with Innovation Award

An Australian startup developing a therapy to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) received the Innovation Award during the closing of the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor (AHC) Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. The winning company, Snoretox. was 1 of 14 startups from 6 countries to pitch their products and services at summit.^1,2

The recognition goes to “the most innovative presentation of this year’s summit,” Emily McVey, vice president of the AHC, said while presenting the award.¹ The decision by the 6-member judges panel was unanimous, according to Snoretox.³

Photo: Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA/dvm360

BOAS affects bulldogs, pugs and other short-snouted breeds.² Throat surgery is currently a common treatment for the condition, according to Dr Anthony Sasse, FRACP, a pulmonologist in rural Australia and member of the Snoretox team. "The price of surgery is $5000 USD. Efficacy, unfortunately, is only poor. Sixty percent [of patients] still have their respiratory function compromised,” he said during the pitch presentation.⁴

The Innovation Award was bestowed by the KC Animal Health Corridor in recognition of the therapy’s promise as an alternative to surgery for dogs in need of help to breathe easier.Modeled after Botox therapy, Snoretox’s injectable treatment strengthens muscle tone using tetanus toxin to keep canine airways open.²

“How does our drug work? It's injected into the geniohyoid [muscle], which is at the floor of the mouth, bilaterally. It consists of 2 components. Firstly, a decoy, which attracts, absorbs and removes the local antibodies; and then tetanus toxin in a tiny dose causes increased neural tone. This acts to stabilize the anterior airway,” Sasse said.⁴

According to Sasse, the developmental product has the potential to address a critical unmet need for the companion animal population. However, he noted that the product also offers a future pipeline of possibility. The company believes the product can be effective in treating certain feline and canine conditions, a variety of equine muscle disorders and other neuromuscular conditions across animal species. “This product has platform potential,” Sasse said.⁴

According to Snoretox, opportunities are already opening up to the company, as it continues to attract interest. “This award has supported this momentum and added value to our company,” the winning startup wrote in a public statement.³

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the ACH region stretches from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri. It has become home to more than 300 companies and is responsible for $4 billion in capital investment, 4500 new jobs and 85 company relocations, according to AHC. The 2025 summit brought together more than 600 industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and students. Over the past 2 decades,more than 600 emerging companies have applied to present at the Summit over the past 20 years. Collectively, participants have raised more than $500 million and have secured licensing, distribution and acquisition deals.²

Reference

1. McVey E. Presentation of Innovation Award. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025. Kansas City, MO.
2. Snoretox, creator of therapy for brachycephalic dogs, wins 2025 Animal Health Summit Innovation Award. News release. KC Animal Health Corridor. August 27, 2025.
3. Snoretox wins the 2025 Innovation Award at the Animal Health Summit in Kansas City. News release. Snoretox. August 27, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. https://snoretox.com/snoretox-wins-the-2025-innovation-award-at-the-animal-health-summit-in-kansas-city/
4. Sasse A. Emerging Companies Presentations: Snoretox. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025. Kansas City, MO.