ONWARD Medical received two grants to support early clinical feasibility studies of its ONWARD ARC-IM System for Parkinson’s disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation awarded a $1 million grant for a study on mobility challenges, while the US Department of Defense granted approximately $1.5 million to study blood pressure instability. Both studies aim to expand the application of the ARC-IM System, currently developed for spinal cord injury, to Parkinson’s disease.
These studies are crucial because they address significant unmet needs in Parkinson’s disease. Mobility issues and blood pressure instability affect a large percentage of Parkinson’s patients, significantly impacting their quality of life and independence. Current treatments often fail to adequately address these issues, highlighting the importance of exploring new therapeutic avenues like the ARC-IM System. Positive results could revolutionize Parkinson’s treatment, potentially offering much-needed relief for debilitating symptoms.
The MJFF-funded study, already underway, involves six participants and investigates the ARC-IM System’s potential to improve mobility and balance. This study builds upon previous research published in •Nature Medicine• demonstrating the system’s positive impact on these symptoms. The Department of Defense-funded study, expected to begin in the first half of 2025, will enroll five participants to examine the system’s effect on blood pressure instability, a problem affecting approximately 800,000 individuals in the US and Europe.
Positive outcomes from these studies could significantly advance Parkinson’s disease treatment. Successful results would validate the broader applicability of the ARC-IM System, opening doors to a larger patient population and strengthening ONWARD Medical’s position in the neuromodulation field. This could also lead to further research and development of targeted therapies for other neurological conditions, ultimately transforming the lives of millions.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
