GSK and Verily Joint Venture Galvanic Bioelectronics Laparoscopically implanted neurostimulators in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as part of a clinical study in Scotland by the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Committee. The first patient implant marks an important milestone for Galvani’s RA neuromodulation therapy. Galvani’s laparoscopic neurostimulator is an experimental therapy that uses splenic nerves to stimulate RA patients to reprogram immune cells in the spleen to an anti-inflammatory state, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in patients.
Neurostimulators are intended as a minimally invasive outpatient treatment. Once the laparoscope is implanted, the neurostimulator can be programmed by the attending physician via a wirelessly connected tablet. In addition, patients control and monitor their own treatments through their smartphones. They can also charge their implants wirelessly.
The treatment works by using splenic nerve stimulation to send nerve signals to the spleen. Doing so prompts spleen immune cells to adapt to a sub-inflammatory state rather than a pro-inflammatory state. The anti-inflammatory cells then migrate to the site of injury, such as the joints in RA, and may reduce pain and inflammation in that area and possibly resolve it.
Specifically, this treatment hopes to restore the relevant organ (in the case of RA, the spleen) to a healthier functional state. The hope is that doing so may minimize or even alleviate symptoms of a range of autoimmune diseases.
Galvani Bioelectronics has also launched a parallel clinical trial in the United States, with offices in New York, Oregon, Dallas and Austin. The US-based study will investigate the efficacy and safety of the Galvani platform in the same category of RA patients.
The company hopes that splenic nerve stimulation therapy will not only demonstrate a viable option for RA patients who have not responded to current treatments, but also anticipates that immunomodulation will provide potential therapeutic avenues for other autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function, and there is no cure. It is estimated that it will affect more than 1.3 million Americans.The burden of disease has prompted companies to take different approaches, including Precision Medicine Approaches.
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