ONWARD Medical has successfully implanted its investigational ARC-BCI® Therapy in two additional patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI), marking a significant advancement in brain-computer interface technology. These latest procedures bring the total number of successful implants to five, reinforcing the company's leadership position in developing thought-driven movement solutions for paralyzed individuals.
The fourth and fifth procedures were performed at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) in Lausanne, Switzerland, under the direction of neurosurgery chief Dr. Jocelyne Bloch. The recipients include a 48-year-old man with a recent injury sustained in 2024 and a 37-year-old woman who has been living with a spinal cord injury since 2011.
How the Technology Works
The ARC-BCI system integrates a brain-computer interface with ONWARD's ARC-IM® spinal cord stimulation technology to create what the company calls the DigitalBridge™—a closed-loop, AI-powered system that establishes a wireless connection between the brain and body. This innovative approach allows patients to bypass damaged neural pathways, potentially restoring voluntary control over paralyzed limbs.
"With five successful procedures now completed, we are gaining important information about this potentially transformative therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury," said Dave Marver, CEO of ONWARD Medical. "Each procedure advances our understanding and refines our approach, bringing us closer to our vision to make thought-driven movement a reality for people living with paralysis."
The system works by decoding brain signals and translating movement intentions into commands that stimulate the spinal cord. What distinguishes ONWARD's approach is its less invasive surgical requirements compared to traditional BCI platforms while still delivering accurate neural decoding.
Clinical Progress and Recognition
Dr. Jocelyne Bloch noted, "We continue to have excellent experience with ONWARD ARC-BCI Therapy, which provides the data and resolution we need with a less invasive surgery than is required with other BCI platforms. Our research is progressing well, and the study participants are showing improvements that meet or surpass our expectations."
The ongoing clinical feasibility studies are supported by grants from the European Innovation Council and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The research is conducted under the oversight of Dr. Grégoire Courtine, Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, and Guillaume Charvet, Head of Neurotechnology at CEA.
ONWARD's breakthrough technology has received significant recognition, including Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2024. The therapy was also recently featured on CBS's 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper, bringing international attention to this promising approach for restoring function after spinal cord injury.
Future Implications
As ONWARD continues to refine its technology and collect clinical data, the ARC-BCI system could potentially revolutionize care for millions living with paralysis. The company's approach aims to make thought-driven movement restoration a standard therapy, offering new hope for greater independence and functional recovery.
Detailed results from these latest procedures are expected to be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, consistent with the company's commitment to scientific rigor. The early outcomes suggest that this technology could significantly improve quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries by restoring voluntary control over movement.
ONWARD Medical, headquartered in the Netherlands with operations in Switzerland and the United States, is listed on Euronext Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, with its US ADRs traded on OTCQX. The company continues to advance its portfolio of neurotechnology solutions aimed at restoring movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury and other movement disabilities.
