ONWARD Wins “Medical Device Engineering Breakthrough” Award in 2021 MedTech Breakthrough Awards Program


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This potentially life-changing technology is the reason we created this awards program, and we extend our sincere congratulations to ONWARD for winning our ‘Medical Device Engineering Breakthrough’ award for our 2021 MedTech Breakthrough Awards program.

MedTech Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global health and medical technology market, today announced ONWARD has been selected as the winner of the “Medical Device Engineering Breakthrough” award in the fifth annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program.

ONWARD’s researchers have discovered targeted spinal cord stimulation can help people with spinal cord injury walk and recover other functions. ONWARD’s ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by implantable (ARC-IM) or external (ARC-EX) systems, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed stimulation of the spinal cord to restore movement and other functions, ultimately improving quality of life.

ARC-EX, an external, non-invasive platform, consists of a wearable stimulator, wireless programmer, and voice-activated smartwatch. In the Up-LIFT trial, which is currently enrolling, researchers aim to assess the potential for ARC-EX to restore hand and arm function in people with spinal cord injury. ARC-IM consists of an implantable pulse generator and lead controlled by wearable components and voice-activated smartwatch. Potential indications the Company may explore for ARC-IM include walking, standing, reduction in spasticity, improved blood pressure regulation, sexual function and bladder/bowel control.

“There are nearly 300,000 people in the United States living with spinal cord injury today. ONWARD’s commitment to driving innovation and advancement to bring true change and meaningful progress to people living with spinal cord injury all over the world is apparent,” said James Johnson, managing director, MedTech Breakthrough. “This potentially life-changing technology is the reason we created this awards program, and we extend our sincere congratulations to ONWARD for winning our ‘Medical Device Engineering Breakthrough’ award for our 2021 MedTech Breakthrough Awards program.”

The mission of the MedTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of health and medical technology categories, including Robotics, Clinical Administration, Telehealth, Patient Engagement, Electronic Health Records (EHR), mHealth, Medical Devices, Medical Data and many more. This year’s program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from over 17 different countries throughout the world.

“Despite years of research, there has been a disappointing lack of meaningful treatment options for people with spinal cord injury. That’s something we’re keen to change,” said Dave Marver, CEO of ONWARD. “We are honored to receive this 2021 MedTech Breakthrough Award and are devoted to our vision to help people with spinal cord injury enjoy life in every way that matters to them.”

Both of ONWARD’s technology platforms have been awarded Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Created in 2014 by researchers and surgeons working together at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), the company is now investing in clinical trials and working to commercialize these promising technologies to make them broadly available to people living with spinal cord injury.

About ONWARD

ONWARD (@onwdempowered), formerly known as GTX Medical, is a medical technology company creating innovative therapies to restore movement, independence, and health in people with spinal cord injury. ONWARD’s work builds on more than a decade of basic science and preclinical research conducted at the world’s leading neuroscience laboratories. ONWARD’s ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by implantable (ARC-IM) or external (ARC-EX) systems, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed stimulation of the spinal cord to restore movement and other functions in people with spinal cord injury, ultimately improving their quality of life. Both of ONWARD’s technology platforms have been awarded Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA. The company’s first FDA pivotal trial, called Up-LIFT, commenced in January 2021 with plans to enroll 65 subjects at up to 15 centers worldwide.

ONWARD is headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland, with a growing U.S. presence in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information about the company, please visit ONWD.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About MedTech Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the MedTech Breakthrough Awards program is an independent program devoted to honoring excellence in medical and health related technology companies, products, services and people. The MedTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough health and medical companies and products in categories that include Patient Engagement, mHealth, Health & Fitness, Clinical Administration, Healthcare IoT, Medical Data, Healthcare Cybersecurity and more. For more information visit MedTechBreakthrough.com.

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