A neurostimulator device can help patients with chronic inflammatory diseases

Around ten percent of the European population suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, these diseases are treated with medication, but what if technology was added to the mix?

Merck joined forces with neuroloop GmbH and B. Braun to develop a neurostimulator device that can complement the existing drug therapies of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. Drug therapies often have broad systemic effects, but bioelectronic devices can create localised and specific therapeutic effects by selectively stimulating nerves.

How does it work?

Bioelectronic devices have the capability to directly communicate with the nervous system. Recording nerve signals and combining them with other accessible physiological datasets will lead to a better understanding of disease conditions and enable personalised treatment regimens.

In this particular case, a very thin multi-channel cuff electrode that is wrapped around the vagus nerve. The electrode is connected to an implanted pulse generator in the chest area, which is wirelessly charged and programmed. The platform allows for selective stimulation of the vagus nerve.

Rather than only providing stimulation, the bioelectronic device can also monitor the disease condition. Combining nerve signals with other accessible physiological datasets can help to create a holistic understanding for disease conditions.

Where does chemistry come in?

The electrode relies on chemistry. The device uses the material “reduced graphene oxide”, also known as graphene. This material, which consists of carbon atoms, is only one atom thick per layer, conducts well and is flexible. With graphene, power consumption could be significantly lower, thus enabling new therapies based on particularly energy-demanding modulation strategies. At the same time, the electrodes should last in the body for many years.

What’s next?

By working together these companies can combine their expertise across electronics, medicines and drug delivery. Initial data are expected to be available by the end of 2022, which will then be used to evaluate a clinical strategy to prove the safety and efficacy in patients.

Merck is also working together with Innervia Bioelectronics to co-develop the next generation of graphene-based bioelectronic vagus nerve therapies.

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