Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences
Did you know that you spend about one-third of your life asleep? And yet, many of us struggle to get a good sleep. We’ve all had the frustration of tossing and turning, watching the clock tick away. Sleep deprivation affects everything from your mood to your productivity.
Sleep disorders are more common than you might think. The good news? Solutions are closer than you think. From ancient rituals to advanced sleep labs, our understanding of sleep has changed dramatically. Now, with wearable technology and telemedicine, we can monitor and improve our sleep from the comfort of our homes. Companies that prioritize patient education, personalized treatment, and technological innovation are poised to lead this essential field.
Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences, founded in 2004 by Dr. N. Ramakrishnan, Managing Director, is a pioneer in India’s sleep medicine world. Dr. Ramakrishnan, an allopathic physician, American board-certified in internal, critical care, and sleep medicine, returned to India after 14 years in the UK and US to make a difference in healthcare. His vision was to build India’s first comprehensive sleep clinic, focusing solely on diagnosing and treating sleep-related problems. Nithra’s mission is to improve public health by showing the critical role of sleep in treating non-communicable diseases. Dr. Ramakrishnan’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by his commitment to quality, ethics, and patient-centric care, overcoming early challenges of awareness and acceptance.
Nithra provides physician-led consultations, high-quality sleep diagnostics, and complete, holistic treatment plans. They value expert-guided care over self-medication and unverified online advice. By becoming India’s first NABH-accredited allopathic sleep clinic, they set a benchmark for quality and trust. Their approach combines cutting-edge technology, such as telemedicine and home sleep studies, In lab studies with a warm, patient-friendly environment, fostering a deep and meaningful connection with their customers.
In the spotlight is founder Dr. N. Ramakrishnan in an interview of our prestigious “Innovative Company In Focus 2025” edition. Learn from his insights and valuable lessons as an entrepreneur to excel and make it the best company. Stay tuned and know his tale of success.
“The future of sleep health is here, and it’s more accessible than ever.”
Prime Insights: Can you introduce your company and its core mission?
I founded Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences, part of Utopian Healthcare, in 2004. Our mission is simple: to improve people’s health through better sleep. As an allopathic physician who is American board-certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, I recognized the huge, often overlooked impact of sleep disorders. After 14 years in the UK and US, I returned to India to look after this prevalent lifestyle issue. We established India’s first comprehensive sleep clinic, focusing solely on diagnosing and treating all sleep-related problems. My goal is to combat noncommunicable diseases by prioritizing sleep health.
Prime Insights: What inspired you to establish your company, and what problem does it aim to solve?
My inspiration came from the widespread yet often overlooked issue of sleep disorders. I recognized their significant role in noncommunicable diseases, a major public health concern. To address this, we established a clinic dedicated exclusively to sleep-related problems. Despite being undervalued, sleep is a critical factor in overall health. Our goal is to provide comprehensive solutions, tackling all aspects of sleep disorders and bridging a crucial gap in healthcare. By offering specialized care, we aim to improve well-being and long-term health outcomes.”
“At Nithra, we don’t just treat sleep disorders—we restore dreams, health, and vitality, one night at a time.”
Prime Insights: What were the biggest challenges you saw in the early days, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I faced was creating awareness that sleep problems are common, often undiagnosed, and require treatment. People tend to ignore sleep issues, thinking they will resolve naturally. However, sleep problems can significantly impact daily life. In the early days, I had to educate both patients and doctors about the importance of sleep medicine. Many doctors wouldn’t recognize sleep problems or refer patients to specialists. Instead, patients would try alternative therapies like meditation. To address this, we conduct several campaigns highlighting the prevalence of sleep problems in India. Initially, most patients self-diagnosed through information available in print and digital media and sought treatment without doctor referrals. Today, the situation is changing, with more doctors recognizing the importance of sleep medicine.
Sleep is a critical issue, affecting quality of life. We’re working to create awareness amongst corporates that adequate sleep improves productivity.
Prime Insights: How is your brand redefining “trust” in the industry, and what sets it apart from competitors?
Trust is very important in our field, especially with the rise of commercial sleep solutions. We distinguish ourselves by insisting on physician-guided care, countering the misinformation online. Our team of sleep specialists, respiratory therapist, psychologists, nutritionists, and yoga practitioners, provides comprehensive, allopathic-backed treatment. We became India’s first NABH-accredited allopathic sleep clinic—a unique distinction that sets us apart. We value expert-led, science-based care, making sure patients get credible and effective solutions, unlike the advice found elsewhere.
Prime Insights: What are your company’s flagship services that distinguish it in the market?
Our flagship service is physician-led consultations, indicating that sleep problems need expert diagnosis and treatment, not self-medication. In addition to clinical services, we offer sleep diagnostics, including sleep studies for conditions like sleep apnea. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with companies selling therapy products without proper medical oversight. We stress the importance of getting sleep studies reported and interpreted by qualified Sleep Specialists to avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. We promote high-quality diagnostic services, ensuring patients receive valid, certified reports. It’s their right to demand this from any healthcare provider.
Prime Insights: How do you see consumer trust changing in today’s competitive business world?
Customer trust is getting complex due to the abundance of information and misinformation. Social media and influencers often mislead people, making it hard to see the truth. I see this as a major challenge in today’s business landscape. For example, I’ve seen people recommend unverified treatments, ignoring the need for professional medical advice. This trend highlights the critical need for consumers to seek credible, expert-guided solutions, rather than depending on potentially harmful, unverified sources.
Prime Insights: What strategies have you used to build a strong brand presence and customer loyalty?
Our brand’s strength lies in word-of-mouth referrals. Satisfied patients and referring doctors have established us as a premier sleep medicine institution. We attract patients nationally and internationally, including those from the US, Canada, Dubai, Singapore, Bangladesh, Maldives, Australia etc. Telemedicine also increases our reach. Our website and media presence enhance our brand, but patient trust is our primary marketing tool.
Prime Insights: How does your company build a deep and meaningful connection with its customers?
Building a deep connection with patients starts from their first interaction with us. Our front office team, led by Ms Mary, our manager, who has been with us for 20 years provides a smooth experience from scheduling to pre-visit guidance. Our Clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and also has a homely and practical infrastructure to enhance patient comfort and satisfaction. We provide home sleep studies, In lab Polysomnography and PAP Therapies led by dedicated respiratory therapists, and a team to care. Patients feel at home, not in a clinic, with comfortable beds and a welcoming environment. our sleep studies are scored by trained sleep technologist and reported by qualified Sleep Specialist. Our quality and personalized attention make sure patients feel heard, supported, and well cared for.
Prime Insights: Can you share some of the most effective marketing campaigns that have taken your brand forward?
Our most effective initiative is our annual World Sleep Day campaign held second Friday of March. We do events like walkathons, Art competition for school children publish articles related to sleep in newspapers and media outlets, and deliver awareness talks to corporate employees thereby promoting sleep health. We also do education programs for doctors, showing the effect of sleep disorders on conditions like diabetes and hypertension. This helps them understand and refer patients for early treatment. By focusing on education and awareness, we’ve propelled our brand and made ourselves a leader in sleep medicine. Our efforts have been recognized globally—we have received awards from the World Sleep Society for three consecutive years and have been honoured with the Distinguished Activity Award every year for our outstanding contributions to sleep health advocacy.
Prime Insights: Have you introduced any groundbreaking innovations, new product categories, or transformations this year?
“Regarding innovations, I believe our biggest breakthrough happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people’s lifestyles changed, sleep problems became more prevalent. We identified this issue as ‘Lockdown Sleep Syndrome’ and published our findings. In response, we developed an app for remote consultations and arranged sleep studies by sending equipment and instructional videos to patients. This allowed them to conduct studies remotely and return the equipment. The pandemic transformed work styles and lifestyles, and we realized that sleep medicine could benefit significantly from technology. Our specialty lends itself well to teleconsultation, as it involves more conversation and test analysis than physical examination. This breakthrough has enabled us to expand our reach beyond Chennai, treating more patients across the country and globally.
Prime Insights: How do you access and measure the level of trust your consumers have in your brand?
We gauge consumer trust through word-of-mouth and direct feedback. We actively solicit patient reviews, both positive and constructive, and use them to improve. Google reviews also provide valuable insights. We consistently monitor these channels to make sure we maintain high levels of trust and satisfaction.
Prime Insights: What is the first thought or emotion you aim to generate when consumers see your brand?
When people see our brand, I want them to think, “I can sleep better.” That’s the core emotion. My goal is to instill confidence that we provide solutions for restful, healthy sleep.
“Quality sleep is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. At Nithra, we blend science, technology, and compassion to make restful sleep a reality for all.”
Prime Insights: What are your company’s future goals and vision for the coming years?
My goal is to help India, and eventually the world, sleep better. We’ll achieve this by using technology in our services. Ultimately, I see a world where everyone has access to quality sleep. As I always say, “A good night is essential for a good day.” I want to make sure everyone experiences that.
Prime Insights: Can you share insights into your journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Starting this venture, I faced skepticism. My journey taught me the importance of patience and perseverance as a first mover. Initially, I saw few patients, but now appointments are in high demand. I learned to prioritize quality and ethics over volume, making sure every patient is satisfied. Despite challenges, I stick to our vision, aiming to expand Nithra nationwide through technology.
Prime Insights: What are your key objectives for the next year, both professionally and personally?
Professionally, my focus is on using AI and technology to expand Nithra’s reach. I aim to travel a lot in my 60th year. My main goal is to visit Kailash Mansarovar. Despite potential challenges with permissions, I’m determined to join an organized tour and fulfil this long-held dream.
Prime Insights: How does innovation help in your company’s growth and long-term success?
Technology will drive our future growth. Post-COVID, teleconsultations boosted our reach, but we’ll expand further. We plan to open branches in Tamil Nadu, starting with Coimbatore and Trichy. Coimbatore, an IT hub, has a young population with significant sleep issues due to shift work. This impacts their overall health. We want to solve these problems and will make more centres in other cities soon. Our goal is to make sleep healthcare accessible to a wider population.
Prime Insights: What steps do you take to foster a culture of creativity and forward-thinking within your organization?
We foster creativity through a blend of youthful energy and experienced wisdom. Our young, fearless minds drive innovation, especially in our social media presence. Simultaneously, our long-term, loyal employees uphold our mission and ethical standards. This combination creates a culture of forward-thinking and creativity. We have open dialogue and value diverse perspectives for continuous growth and innovation.
Prime Insights: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who aspire to create a lasting impact in their industry?
My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: first, define your goals clearly. Second, build a strong team and nurture their growth, treating them as partners. Third, don’t hesitate to seek appropriate investments. For 20 years, I’ve bootstrapped, but I now realize the importance of strategic partnerships for growth. My next venture, our technology platform, will definitely involve an investment partner to expand our reach and enhance our capabilities.
