Prof. Bloch and Prof. Courtine New Breakthrough for SCI Patients

In a rare double publication in Nature and Nature Medicine, landmark studies led by Professor Grégoire Courtine (EPFL), Professor Jocelyne Bloch (CHUV and University of Lausanne), and Dr. Aaron Phillips (University of Calgary) describe the development of a targeted therapy to stabilize blood pressure in SCI patients. Working with EPFL spin-off ONWARD Medical, the team developed ARC-IM, a compact implant delivering precise spinal cord stimulation.

There is a lesser-known challenge faced by over 70% of people living with spinal cord injuries (SCI): chronic blood pressure instability. This condition causes exhaustion, cognitive fog, and fainting, and can lead to sudden, dangerous spikes known as autonomic dysreflexia

Professor Courtine explained: ‘We identified the neuronal architecture responsible for life-threatening elevations of blood pressure and showed that spinal cord stimulation can safely regulate it. This occurs over a specific region we call the hemodynamic hotspot.’

Julie, a participant in a recent clinical study, shared her joy: ‘I have my life back. Now I can go back to school and finish my PhD.’ After a spinal cord injury left her with chronic dizziness and fatigue, she had little energy for daily tasks. Daniel, another participant, has spent decades navigating life in a wheelchair after a skiing accident. Thanks to a new implant, he was able to return to para-alpine sit skiing with greater confidence and stability.

Clinical Impact

The therapy was tested with 14 patients across four clinical studies in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada. Professor Jocelyne Bloch highlighted the international collaboration: ‘The international deployment shows that the surgery and therapy are safe and effective regardless of local practices. It’s a key milestone toward making this technology widely available.’

Once activated, the implant restored blood pressure to a functional range within minutes. Patients reported less brain fog, more energy, and improved independence. The system was successfully deployed by neurosurgeon Dr. Erkan Kurt and Dr. Ilse van Nes at the Sint Maartenskliniek rehabilitation center in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Next Steps

ONWARD Medical has received FDA approval to launch a pivotal multicenter trial involving around 20 leading research centers across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Professor Courtine stated: ‘If successful, this will pave the way for regulatory approval and reimbursement, bringing this therapy within reach for the broader SCI community.’

➡️ Source: CHUV | 📸 © Anoush Abrar 2025. Professor Grégoire Courtine and Professor Jocelyne Bloch have developed an implantable neurostimulation system designed to restore blood pressure balance after spinal cord injury. The two scientists are pictured here alongside Daniel, one of the patients who participated in the clinical trial.