August 27, 2021 -- Synchron has been awarded a $10 million grant by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study its Synchron motor neuroprosthesis in a new clinical trial. Synchron received the grant along with Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Health System.
The company said the U.S. trial, known as COMMAND, is another step for its implantable Stentrode brain computer interface to become commercially available. Stentrode converts the thoughts associated with attempted movement into cursor and keyboard commands.
The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Stentrode in six severely paralyzed patients in the U.S. for regaining digital communication and functional independence, the company said. Synchron is also continuing to evaluate the device in the SWITCH human clinical trial in Australia.