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

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/onward-medical-implants-first-patient-in-eiger-study-of-its-arc-im-9ef46e5a
Date: 3 Sep 2026
About: [ONWARD Medical](https://technooptimist.io/companies/onward-medical.md) · [ARC Therapy (ARC-EX / ARC-IM / ARC-BCI)](https://technooptimist.io/neurotech/arc-therapy.md)
Original source: https://ioplus.nl/en/posts/onward-medical-begins-testing-spinal-implant-for-walking

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.

## Key facts

- 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.

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