SynerFuse, Cirtec Medical Partner to Develop Back Pain Management Device

SynerFuse and Cirtec Medical are joining forces on a chronic low-back pain solution.

The partnership aims to foster the development of the NeuroFuse DRG therapy, which integrates spinal fusion and neuromodulation to relieve chronic low back pain without drugs. SynerFuse currently is investigating the therapy solution in a pilot trial at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The study is being led by neurosurgeons Dr. Matthew Hunt and Dr. Michael Park.

“SynerFuse aims to make traditional spine implants more successful by embedding active neuromodulation therapy at the time surgeons are performing fusion back surgery,” said Justin Zenanko, CPA/MACS, SynerFuse co-founder and CEO. “We are pleased to be able to work with the team at Cirtec to develop the NeuroFuse DRG system to support future clinical trials and bring long term back relief to back surgery patients.”

There are approximately 500,000 low-back fusion procedures performed annually in the United States. Spinal fusion does not always relieve pain as intended; residual neuropathic pain after successful spinal fusion occurs after as many as 50% of spinal surgeries and severely reduces the quality of life for patients. Patients are often prescribed opioids to combat residual pain, which are not effective for long term use or targeting neuropathic pain but have contributed to the current opioid epidemic. 

“Cirtec is excited to partner with SynerFuse to develop and commercialize this innovative life changing therapy. The ability for SynerfuseTM to leverage our neuromodulation platform technology to bring their therapy to market quickly and cost effectively validates the investments we have made over the past several years to support this very exciting market,” said Brian Highley, Cirtec’s CEO.
   
According to Dr. Greg Molnar, Ph.D., SynerFuse co-founder, chief scientific officer. and board director, “There are many types of pain with different biological mechanisms involved in lower back pain and in the residual pain after lumbar fusion. Some pains called nociceptive/mechanical pain are often addressed by the surgery whereas neuropathic pain can only be effectively addressed by neuromodulation. Our ongoing clinical trial will work to provide evidence for proactive, preemptive pain management and holds the promise of a more desirable solution to long-term pain relief.” 
 
Cirtec provides outsourced medical device design, engineering, and manufacturing. For over 25 years, Cirtec has offered outsourced solutions for complex medical devices by providing a uniquely comprehensive range of resources and expertise that includes the design and manufacture of neuromodulation, drug delivery, cardiac rhythm management, mechanical circulatory support, and interventional devices.