Onward Medical N.V. reported interim clinical outcomes from the first ten people treated to regulate blood pressure with implantable ARC Therapy, ONWARD's targeted spinal cord stimulation technique. ARC Therapy immediately improved blood pressure levels for all participants; this benefit has been sustained for the duration of the current follow-up period. Participants have also reported improved quality of life, increased energy and vitality, and reduced dizziness.

The interim outcomes reported are from ten people with spinal cord injury who were treated at clinical centers in Canada and Switzerland. In addition to a sustained increase in blood pressure levels, participants who were taking an anti-hypotension drug prior to entering the study were able to significantly reduce or discontinue their medication. Participants also reported improved general well-being: Participants reported a reduction in orthostatic hypotension, including reduced dizziness and improved energy, and those prone to fainting or light-headedness prior to implant indicated that such incidents declined dramatically following treatment with ARC Therapy.

Participants continue to be followed, in one case for as long as three years, and the therapy remains beneficial in all cases. Over 40% of people with spinal cord injury, or approximately 262,000 people in the U.S. and Europe, are estimated to experience hypotension, or low blood pressure. Hypotension may limit active participation in physical rehabilitation programs and facilitate the deterioration effects of immobilization and development of undesirable secondary medical complications.

Based on the promising interim outcomes from these feasibility studies, ONWARD is preparing to initiate further clinical trials to include U.S. participants in 2023.