#NewAseBioMember | “AseBio represents a platform within the bioindustry ecosystem”
Meet Spinally Medical, our new member. We talked to its Carles García-Vitoria, Co-fundador & Chief Scientific Officer.
AseBio. What does your company's work bring to the table and what is its strength?
Carles García-Vitoria. Spinally is developing a groundbreaking type of Spinal Cord Stimulation lead, designed to enhance the efficacy of electrical stimulation and neural recording in the treatment of several neurological conditions. Our initial focus is on chronic pain, yet research has also led us to a broader pipeline of applications. The key benefits of our solution include significantly improved energy efficiency, a critical factor in this kind of therapy. Traditionally, only about 10% of the energy from the stimulator reach the spinal cord, stimulating merely the surface, necessitating frequent battery recharges and in some stimulation protocols causing unpleasant side effects. Our technology addresses all of these issues. Moreover, by enabling deeper spinal cord stimulation we pave the way for novel therapies. While the epidural space poses challenges for both stimulation and the recording of neuronal activity, our solution's intrathecal positioning allows for the collection of high-quality data essential for closed-loop therapy. Our technology is patented, and we are now ready to fabricate our final prototype and conduct a live comparison between conventional methods and our approach in a trial.
AseBio. What is AseBio for you?
Carles García-Vitoria. For us, AseBio represents a platform within the bioindustry ecosystem. As a medtech company committed to pioneering new therapy methods, we value AseBio's comprehensive support in networking, insights, and advocacy.
AseBio. When did you first hear about AseBio?
Carles García-Vitoria. Around one year ago.
AseBio. What do you expect from being part of an association like AseBio?
Carles García-Vitoria. First and foremost, we anticipate networking opportunities, access to industry insights and information, educational resources, opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and enhanced visibility and credibility. Additionally, the opportunity to benefit from discounts on events and services is not insignificant.
AseBio. What is the biggest challenge facing the biotech sector (or your company)?
Carles García-Vitoria. The medtech sector faces several challenges, including regulatory and reimbursement hurdles. However, these can be significantly mitigated through either consultancy services or internal expertise, which minimizes any procedural risks. Cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected devices or external controllers can also be mitigated when development is handled by experienced professionals. Post-COVID, supply chain vulnerabilities have been beyond our control, yet, fortunately, the situation is improving. Another challenge is the pace of technological change, which often outstrips the adaptation capabilities of medical technologies. For early-stage companies, accessing funds is arguably the main concern nowadays, particularly as the private market remains stagnant. This is especially true since both the medtech and biotech sectors are often viewed as high-risk investments by those with limited experience.