Seeking an indication for gait and balance deficit in patients with chronic symptoms of stroke under its Breakthrough Device DesignationNEWTOWN, Pa., Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSDT), today announced the filing of its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) submission for the PoNS (Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator) device label expansion seeking an indication for gait and balance deficit in patients with chronic stroke symptoms. The submission was ...

Core Insights - The PoNS Therapeutic Experience Program (PoNSTEP) study demonstrates long-term benefits of PoNS Therapy for gait deficits in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) [1][2] - The study results were presented at the 2025 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting, highlighting the importance of treatment adherence for achieving clinically meaningful improvements [2][3] Study Details - The PoNSTEP study is an open-label, observational, interventional multi-center research study assessing adherence to PoNS Therapy for gait deficits in MS patients [5] - The study involved 43 MS participants and was conducted at six Centers of Excellence across the United States [5] - The primary endpoint is the maintenance of gait improvement from the end of supervised therapy to the end of unsupervised therapy, with secondary endpoints including maintenance of improvement over six months [5] Treatment and Mechanism - PoNS Therapy combines the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device with physical therapy, applied for 100-120 minutes per day [5][7] - The PoNS device delivers mild electrical impulses to the tongue and is indicated for short-term treatment of gait deficits due to mild-to-moderate MS symptoms [7][8] Clinical Impact and Recognition - The study provides the first clinical trial evidence of PoNS Therapy's long-term benefits for functional rehabilitation in the MS population [3] - There is growing recognition of PoNS Therapy's direct effect on the central nervous system and its targeted mechanism of action compared to other interventions [3] Reimbursement and Access - Helius Medical Technologies has successfully obtained initial reimbursement from federal and private payers, which is expected to lower barriers to prescribing PoNS Therapy [4] - The company is actively engaging with health insurance providers to expand access to PoNS Therapy for all individuals with MS [3][4]