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Much of the need for neurotechnology devices and therapies has arisen because of pain. In the early days of this industry, it was chronic low back pain that drove sales of spinal cord stimulation systems—still the largest product category in the global neuromodulation market. But newer devices and therapies are targeting other forms of pain, including the intense psychic pain that accompanies major depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

Neuroscience and neurotechnology researchers have exploited a number of different technologies besides electrical stimulation to effect control of brain functions. These include ultrasound, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and optogenetics. Recently, a team of investigators in Korea demonstrated a potentially new form of neuromodulation called magnetogenetics. Researchers at the Center for Nanome…

Bioelectronic medicine systems have offered novel therapeutic interventions for a number of indications over the last several years. But there is also a significant market opportunity for diagnostic systems that incorporate principles of bioelectronic medicine. Recently, a research team from the University of California San Diego reported progress on one such system that may prove useful in detecting sepsis and other serious medical conditions.

The goal of restoring vision to blind people using visual neuroprosthetics has been one of the most confounding challenges that has faced neurotechnology researchers and startup firms. The graveyard of commercial failures in this space—Optobionics, Retina Implant, Second Sight, Pixium Vision, and others—is testament to the difficulty of building a viable and sustainable solution. So when Neuralink…

To date, the worldwide neuromodulation market has been largely driven stimulation systems to treat various forms of chronic pain. One of the newest pain indications to be approved for neuromodulation therapies is pain related to diabetes. The recent meeting of the American Diabetes Association, which concluded its 84th Scientific Sessions, featured three notable exhibitors with approved products for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy: Abbott, Medtronic, and Nevro, alongside two insightful poster sessions.

As the market for bioelectronic medicine expands, vendors will face a growing need to develop a sales force and distribution channel that is best suited to the market each company has targeted. This is particularly important for manufacturers of implanted devices, who will be tasked with reaching out to clinicians from a number of clinical specialties. Deploying a field sales force is very expensive and management-intensive.

In the 24 years that we’ve been covering the neurotechnology industry, we’ve witnessed a wide range of both positive and negative developments. As is the case with most fields, startups, investors, and investigators can expect to experience their share of ups and downs as the industry develops. But rarely have we witnessed the yo-yo series of wins and losses that have been visited upon one company, Cala Health, in such a short timeframe.

Bioelectronic medicine therapies have offered promise for treating pathologies in a number of clinical specialties outside neurological disorders, including urology, cardiology, pulmonology, and endocrinology. Recently, a team of investigators from the University of Chicago and other institutions reported their work on a bioelectronic device with applications in dermatology. Publishing in the journ…

Pain physicians, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and neural engineering professionals assembled in Vancouver, BC last month for the 16th World Congress of the International Neuromodulation Society. At the meeting, Giancarlo Barolat, a neurosurgeon and spinal cord stimulation pioneer, received the Giants of Neuromodulation Award. The conference featured a preconference workshop devoted to Innovations i…

Executives and entrepreneurs from several neurotechnology assembled in New York City earlier this month for the 2024 Bioelectronic Medicine Forum. The one-day conference, held at the New York Academy of Medicine in Manhattan, featured sessions with investors, clinicians, and academics seeking to move the industry forward. Keynote speaker Tom Oxley, CEO of BCI firm Synchron, offered a compelling vis…