Onward Medical, a pioneering Dutch company specializing in therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, has received prestigious recognition from TIME Magazine, naming its ARC-EX® System one of the Best Inventions of 2024. The ARC-EX® System, designed to restore hand and arm function, represents a groundbreaking leap forward for SCI rehabilitation. This recognition places Onward Medical alongside other inventive Dutch companies, Meatable and Whispp, further highlighting the Netherlands’ role in transformative health and technology innovation. Both Whispp and Onward are former winners of a Gerard & Anton Award.
“We are grateful for TIME’s recognition of the ARC-EX System, which has the potential to impact hundreds of thousands of people with spinal cord injury and impaired hand and arm function,” stated Dave Marver, CEO of Onward Medical. Marver emphasized the personal impact of SCI, which affects nearly 300,000 people in the United States and around seven million globally. “SCI is a devastating injury that can change lives in an instant. We are hopeful ARC-EX Therapy is just the first of many innovative therapies Onward Medical can introduce to benefit the Spinal Cord Injury Community”.
Spinal cord stimulation
The ARC-EX System, a non-invasive technology, utilizes spinal cord stimulation to enhance arm and hand function in SCI patients, potentially allowing them to regain the use of their limbs, improve their independence, and drastically enhance their quality of life. Recently spotlighted in Nature Medicine, the therapeutic platform showed that 90% of trial participants experienced improved upper limb strength and function. With this recognition, Onward Medical’s team eagerly anticipates the launch of ARC-EX in the U.S., pending regulatory approval from the FDA.
TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions list highlights 200 extraordinary inventions chosen based on their originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact. The list highlights healthcare, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy solutions. The Netherlands has produced this outstanding SCI therapy and celebrated two other companies that won places in TIME’s Best Inventions list this year: Meatable and Whispp. Meatable, a biotech innovator, is transforming food production by cultivating lab-grown meat that provides a sustainable, ethical alternative to traditional meat production. With concerns over animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and food security growing globally, Meatable’s technology represents a significant shift in the food industry. The company’s dedication to innovation addresses some of today’s most pressing challenges, showcasing the Netherlands’ position at the forefront of sustainable solutions.
Similarly, Whispp, another Dutch winner, is redefining communication for people with speech impediments. Whispp’s voice technology, which combines speech recognition with artificial intelligence, enables users to communicate seamlessly through whispers. This breakthrough innovation supports those who struggle with vocal communication by offering a unique solution that enhances their quality of life and supports inclusivity.