Merck KGaA, B. Braun to develop bioelectronic devices for chronic inflammatory disease

Merck KGaA on Tuesday announced a collaboration with B. Braun subsidiary neuroloop to develop a neurostimulator device that complements drug therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases. Under the partnership, whose financial terms were not disclosed, the companies plan to adapt neuroloop's neurostimulation platform to enable targeted treatment of such diseases.

Michael Lauk, CEO of neuroloop, explained that "identifying the specific disease-relevant nerve signal patterns, and subsequently modulating these signals via stimulation, are major challenges in the field of bioelectronics." He added that together with Merck and "our platform, which enables multi-channel selective stimulation, we are well positioned to potentially solve these crucial challenges."

According to Merck, neuroloop's platform is designed to stimulate the vagus nerve for the treatment of chronic diseases in connection with autonomous body functions. The platform features a multichannel cuff-electrode, based on thin-film technology, that is wrapped around the vagus nerve. The electrode is connected to an implanted pulse generator in the chest area, enabling selective stimulation of specific nerve fibres.

Eyeing approval in major markets

Under the partnership, neuroloop will contribute its technical expertise in selective neurostimulators, while Merck said it will add its capabilities in material science and in vivo pharmacology, as well as "quality, regulatory and clinical expertise in the field of chronic inflammatory diseases." Initial data are expected to be available by the end of 2022 and will be used to evaluate a clinical strategy to demonstrate safety and efficacy in patients. The full development of the platform will target approval in major markets, such as the US and EU.

Meanwhile, B. Braun and neuroloop want to explore a "wide range" of indications for the device, with the goal of treating various chronic conditions by changing the software and stimulation pattern. 

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