Onward Medical announced the first human implant of its investigational ARC-IM lumbar lead. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, Chief of Neurosurgery at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland.

The company achieved first-in-human use of the ARC-IM thoracic lead in May 2023. The thoracic lead is placed in the thoracic region of the spinal cord and will be used as part of the investigational ARC-IM system in Onward’s planned Empower BP pivotal study to address blood pressure instability after spinal cord injury (SCI).

The new ARC-IM lumbar lead was designed for placement in the spinal cord’s lumbar region. This is the optimal area for therapies targeting restoration of standing, stepping, and lower limb mobility after SCI.

It will be used in clinical feasibility studies with and without an implanted brain-computer interface (BCI).

“I am encouraged by this initial experience with the ARC-IM Lumbar Lead,” said Dr. Bloch. “The lead’s design and maneuverability facilitated secure and precise placement in the lumbar region of the spinal cord. Access to Onward’s optimized, purpose-designed lead should enable us to improve the effectiveness of the breakthrough therapies we are currently studying.”

The ARC-IM lead is used with the company’s ARC-IM neurostimulator (IPG) and is placed along the spinal cord to stimulate the dorsal roots with parameters designed for each anatomical location. Onward is developing ARC-IM leads in a variety of sizes, shapes, and electrode arrays for the indications of improved blood pressure stability, mobility, upper extremity function, and bladder control in both the SCI and Parkinson’s disease populations.