ONWARD Medical Completes Two Additional Brain-Computer Interface Implants Paired with Spinal Cord Stimulation Technology to Restore Thought-Driven Movement

Core Insights - ONWARD Medical N.V. has successfully implanted its investigational ARC-BCI® Therapy in two additional individuals with spinal cord injuries, bringing the total number of human implants to seven, reinforcing its leadership in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for restoring movement in paralyzed individuals [1][7] Company Overview - ONWARD Medical is a neurotechnology company focused on developing therapies to restore movement, function, and independence for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other movement disabilities [5] - The company has received 10 Breakthrough Device Designations from the FDA and its ARC EX® System is cleared for commercial sale in the US and Europe [5] - The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with additional facilities in Switzerland and the US [6] Technology and Research - The ARC-BCI Therapy involves an implant placed epidurally on the motor cortex, which records brain signals related to movement intention and uses AI to decode these signals for spinal cord stimulation [3] - The latest procedures were conducted at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Switzerland, involving a 35-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man, aimed at restoring upper- and lower-limb movement, respectively [2] - The ARC-BCI System has been supported by over eight years of human safety data and has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA in 2024 [3] Funding and Support - The ongoing clinical feasibility studies for ARC-BCI Therapy are supported by grants from the European Union's Horizon Europe program, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation [4]