ARTICLE SUMMARY:
Mainstay Medical is targeting a large population of underserved chronic back pain sufferers with a unique implantable device that breaks new ground in the neurostimulation arena. Rather than simply masking the pain, as spinal cord stimulation devices do, Mainstay’s ReActiv8 therapy is designed to restore neuromuscular control to the low back.
As one of several young companies innovating in the crowded neurostimulation space, Dublin, Ireland-based Mainstay Medical is differentiating itself by offering a unique approach to treating chronic low back pain caused by mechanical (muscular or joint) dysfunction. Rather than simply masking the pain, as medications and other therapies such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices do, Mainstay’s ReActiv8 system is the first implantable neurostimulation device designed to treat the root cause of the pain by rehabilitating the underlying muscle that stabilizes the spine.
According to Chief Financial Officer Matt Onaitis, this approach enables Mainstay to tap into a large, underserved market opportunity encompassing chronic back pain sufferers who are not candidates for surgery and have limited effective treatment options today. However, as is the case with any new, unfamiliar therapy, Mainstay has a challenging road ahead to get both physicians and payors on board.
