ONWARD Medical to Advance Parkinson’s Disease Pipeline with Support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation and US Department of Defense

Onward Medical has received two grants totaling $2.5 million to support early feasibility studies on its implantable spinal stimulation system, ARC-IM, as a potential treatment for mobility issues and blood pressure instability in people with Parkinson’s disease. The ARC-IM system, which delivers targeted electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, has already been recognized as a breakthrough device in the U.S. for restoring movement and stabilizing blood pressure in people with spinal cord injuries. Now, researchers are exploring whether it could offer similar benefits to those living with Parkinson’s. A $1 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is funding a study on whether ARC-IM can improve mobility in six Parkinson’s patients, with the first participant receiving the implant late last year. A second grant of approximately $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense will support a separate study, expected to begin by June, to investigate the device’s potential in managing blood pressure instability in five individuals with Parkinson’s. The ARC-IM system consists of an implantable device that delivers electrical stimulation through a thin wire placed in specific areas of the spinal cord. It can be controlled by the user through a smartphone, smartwatch, or voice commands, allowing for personalized adjustments. The device has already shown promising results in improving mobility, reducing freezing of gait, and enhancing balance in an individual with Parkinson’s. Researchers hope these new studies will provide further evidence that spinal stimulation can offer meaningful improvements for those facing the movement and autonomic challenges of Parkinson’s disease.