Valencia Medical Device Startup Lands NIH Grant

Neuronoff Inc., a development-stage medical device company in Valencia, has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, according to a statement from the company. The grant will help Neuronoff test its product, the Injectrode, an injectable metal electrode used as an alternative to treat chronic back pain. NIH chose to fund Neuronoff as part of its Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Initiative, as Injectrode would alleviate pain and reduce dependence on opioids. Implanting the electrode would be minimally invasive, eliminating the need for a large surgical incision and reducing recovery time and costs, Neuronoff said in a statement. “The market opportunity for this application using the Injectrode is immense,” said Dr. Kip Ludwig, associate professor in the departments of biomedical engineering and neurological surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Currently, spinal cord stimulators and other neuromodulation devices and electrodes are implanted invasively. The Injectrode could make these systems much less invasive, which would improve outcomes for patients.” “We are extremely thankful to the NIH for this award, which helps to further validate the potential for the Injectrode technology,” said Manfred Franke, chief executive of Neuronoff.