Tetraplegia affects over 650,000 people in the USA and Europe, many from a young age, placing a lifelong burden on patients and their families. With no existing treatment for severe spinal cord injuries, a breakthrough solution is urgently needed to restore function and reduce complications. Research shows that 77% of tetraplegic patients believe regaining hand movement would significantly improve their quality of life.
Neurinnov is developing the first implantable neurostimulation device capable of selectively activating targeted muscles by steering electrical currents through specific nerves. Initially focused on patients with complete spinal cord injuries, this technology aims to restore essential hand grasping functions, giving patients greater autonomy in daily activities like eating with a fork.
By addressing a critical unmet medical need, Neurinnov is pioneering a new standard of care. With the right expertise, partnerships, and determination, we are committed to bringing this life-changing innovation to those who need it most.
Neurinnov’s work with patients living with patients with complete tetraplegia is ongoing, as the company progresses towards industrial-scale development.
Neurinnov and the whole team are deeply engaged in social responsibility to bring a device to the market that will fit the needs of patients.
Improving the quality of life for patients is a top priority. We place patient need for autonomy, self-esteem, and desire for societal re-integration above all.
We are committed to achieving the highest standards of quality across all our operations. Integrity, reliability and transparency are at the forefront of all our collaborations and engagements.
Neurinnov, a spin-off from INRIA and the University of Montpellier, was founded in 2018 by David Guiraud, CSO, and David Andreu, CTO. The company’s neurostimulation implant technology originated from research in electrophysiology and functional physiology led by David Guiraud, who served as Director of Research at INRIA from 2004 to 2018. During that period, several researchers joined his team, including David Andreu, now Neurinnov’s CTO.
Ongoing research confirmed the strong potential of electrophysiology in selectively stimulating subsets of nerve fibers within a nerve. Preliminary studies demonstrated remarkable results in both the number and complexity of movements induced by different stimulation patterns and configurations. Inspired by these findings and the potential benefits for patients with severe paralysis, the team transformed their research into a technological platform, leading to the creation of Neurinnov.
Since 2018, the company has collaborated with research laboratories, medical institutions, and industrial suppliers to refine its implantable neurostimulator. Clinical studies have provided deeper insights into the effects of selective neural stimulation, with impressive results. In a key study, patients were able to move their paralysed limbs and perform functional tasks, such as holding a can and drinking through a straw, using an intuitive, voluntarily controlled interface. The functional grasping movements remained stable over the 28-day implantation period, and follow-up assessments of electrode impedance, movement selectivity, motor capacity, patient control, tolerance, and acceptability all yielded positive results. Importantly, no contradictory movements were observed, further validating the effectiveness of Neurinnov’s selective neurostimulation approach.
Neurinnov is the first company to develop a solution capable of selectively and synergistically activating muscles via nerve stimulation – without causing all associated muscles to contract simultaneously. These ground-breaking results have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals.
The team has built and patented a versatile technology platform with broad applications across pathologies affecting the neuromuscular sensory-motor system. With its pioneering approach to neurostimulation, Neurinnov is set to redefine treatment possibilities for patients with extreme paralysis and beyond.
Contact
Phone: +33 (0)4 34 34 80 28
Email: contact@neurinnov.com