Synapse, Case Western ink neurostim development deal

Synapse Biomedical said yesterday it signed a development deal with Case Western Reserve University to commercialize its neurostimulation device.

The deal is being supported by a $3 million grant from the Ohio 3rd Frontier Innovation Platform Program, according to Synapse.

“Synapse is proud to be part of this endeavor under the funding of the Third Frontier from the State of Ohio. We have already been able to save engineering jobs that were being relocated out of state from another company closure as we kicked off this project.  This will help continue the leadership of the region in neurostimulation,” Synapse product development veep Tim Crish said in prepared remarks.

Through the deal, Case Western, Synapse, The University of Tokyo and Valtronic match funding as commercialization moves forward, Synapse said.

“Participation in this project is one of the important opportunities for us to apply our expertise in engineering design and microsystems to a medical device, which would potentially provide a large number of patients with better quality of life” IIS director general Terou Fujii said in a press release.

Synapse will produce and market the system once CE Mark approval in the European Union, Japanese PMDA approval and FDA clearance are obtained, the company said.

“We have already seen the impact that neurostimulation has on the lives of over 1,500 patients using our NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System to gain independence and prolong survival. The advancements made by Dr. Peckham will have a significant impact on ease of use for our existing and future patients with diaphragm pacing which will allow us to expand our services for spinal cord injured, ALS, and pediatric patients,” CEO Anthony Ignagni said in a press release.

In December, 2013, Synapse said it landed $2.4 million in funding from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission for the next generation of its NeuRx technology.

The NeuRx device is designed to provide electrical stimulation to the muscles and nerves of the diaphragm. It won FDA approval in 2008, and again in 2011, specifically for treating chronic hypoventilation from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The Oberlin, Ohio-based medical device company plans on expanding the NeuRx for use in managing critical care patients with respiratory insufficiency.

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