Eight winners have been exclusively invited to join Phase 2 of the Neuromod Prize, a US$9.8 million competition to accelerate the development of targeted neuromodulation therapies. With the competition, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hopes to “bridge the gap between early-stage research and clinical use, bringing innovative neuromodulation therapies to patients”.
Phase 2 participants will create proof-of-concept designs using diverse approaches to stimulate a range of targets, including the spinal cord, sacral, pelvic and vagus nerves. The competition will provide access to subject matter experts to help teams meet Phase 2 requirements and advance their solutions. Up to four Phase 2 winners will be selected by a judging panel, according to Phase 2 evaluation criteria, and receive an equal distribution of the US$4 million Phase 2 prize pool.
- Anthony F DiMarco
- BIOS Health
- General Electric Research, in collaboration with Northwell Health and Yale University
- Neuroengineering & Pain Research (NPR) Lab at the University of Connecticut
- RBI Medical
- University of Louisville Research Foundation
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Urology
- Warren Grill and collaborators, Duke Biomedical Engineering
In January 2022, the NIH launched Phase 1 of the Neuromod Prize, calling on scientists, engineers and clinicians to submit novel concepts and plans for development. Some 45 participants submitted concept papers, describing their proposed therapeutic approach and plan for conducting proof-of-concept studies, rationale for therapeutic use, and potential clinical impact.
Solutions were then evaluated against the ability to demonstrate potential for high scientific advancement and clinical impact by selectively targeting multiple autonomic functions to improve outcomes for patients and/or clinicians while mitigating major off-target effects.
Eight winners were selected by a judging panel, according to Phase 1 evaluation criteria, and each winner received US$100,000.
Phase 2 participants will submit their designs by 1 December 2023. Up to four Phase 2 winners will be exclusively invited to participate in the planned Phase 3 of the competition, which is anticipated to include conducting investigational device exemption (IDE)-enabling studies and a total prize pool of US$5 million.
