ONWARD Medical implants first patient in EIGER study of its ARC-IM spinal implant

ONWARD Medical/ARC Therapy (ARC-EX / ARC-IM / ARC-BCI)

ONWARD Medical has performed the first implant in EIGER, a feasibility study of the implanted ARC-IM system aimed at restoring standing and walking after spinal cord injury. The first procedure was done at CHUV in Lausanne. The company says the study should inform the design of a larger pivotal trial.

• EIGER enrolls up to 12 participants in two cohorts: subacute injuries (under six weeks before enrollment) and chronic injuries (more than one year).
• The study runs at CHUV and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil; Innosuisse funds it. Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, CHUV's head of neurosurgery, led the implant.
• ARC-IM is the implanted counterpart to ONWARD's non-invasive ARC-EX, combining an implanted pulse generator with a lead placed near the spinal cord.
• CEO Dave Marver called the implant an important step toward a larger pivotal trial that could eventually support market approval.