Accelerating the development of targeted neuromodulation therapies

The National Institutes of Health invited eight Phase 1 winners to build on their submissions by conducting proof-of-concept studies in Phase 2.

Neuromod Prize

Congratulations to the Phase 2 cohort

Anthony F. DiMarco, M.D.

High-frequency spinal cord stimulation reduces respiratory tract infections and improves bowel management in people with neurological impairment

BIOS Health

The Autonomic Therapy Initiative, data-driven stimulations of the vagus nerve using neural biomarkers, modulates cardiac function and minimizes side effects on off target organs

GE Research in collaboration with Northwell Health and Yale University

A single, image-guided ultrasound treatment induces a response in the gut-brain sensory pathway to provide sustained remission in Type 2 diabetes and obesity

NPR Lab at the University of Connecticut

Synchronized pulse and sinusoidal stimulation of sacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and nerve roots relieves chronic visceral pain in the lower abdominal organs by selectively blocking C-fiber neural transmission

RBI Medical

Ultraprecise, selective pelvic neuromodulation therapy treats stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and fecal incontinence using a minimally invasive micro-implant

University of Louisville Research Foundation Inc.

StimXS, neuromodulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord, automatically regulates cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems after spinal cord injury

University of Pittsburgh Department of Urology

A multichannel implantable device for sacral-pudendal neuromodulation addresses bladder, bowel, and sexual disorders

Warren Grill & collaborators, Duke Biomedical Engineering

Electrical recording and stimulation of the sacral nerve with closed-loop bioelectronic control restores bladder and bowel function

About the competition

The Neuromod Prize is a SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund. The competition seeks groundbreaking uses of peripheral nerve stimulation that can independently regulate two or more desired autonomic functions without unintended effects on non-target organs. The competition is currently in Phase 2.

CONCLUDED

Phase 1

Open to all eligible participants

Participants submitted concept papers describing their proposed therapeutic approach and plans for conducting proof-of-concept studies.

CURRENT

Phase 2

Open to winners of Phase 1

Eight Phase 1 winners have been exclusively invited to develop proof-of-concept studies.
 

PLANNED

Phase 3

Open to winners of Phase 2

Up to four Phase 2 winners may subsequently be selected to conduct IDE-enabling studies.

 

Prize pool

judging panel selected eight winners according to official Phase 1 judging criteria. In Phase 1, a judging panel selected eight winners according to official Phase 1 judging criteria. Phase 1 winners each received $100,000 and the opportunity to compete for a share of up to $4 million in Phase 2.

$9.8 million

Total prize pool planned across three phases

Timeline

Phase 1 launch

January 18, 2022

Phase 1 submission deadline

April 28, 2022

Phase 1 judging

May - June 2022

Phase 1 winner announcement

July 2022
We are here

Phase 2 launch

October 2022

Phase 2 winner announcement

February 2024

Phase 3 planned launch

Spring 2024
Sign up to receive the Neuromod Prize newsletter