Galvani finally enters the clinic

Six years after its formation Galvani Bioelectronics has treated its first patient. Galvani, a joint venture between Glaxosmithkline and Google’s sister company Verily Life Sciences, is developing a bioelectronic medicine – essentially applying neurostimulation to non-neurological disorders. Galvani has chosen rheumatoid arthritis as its first indication, and has started two small safety trials, one in the UK and another in the US, enrolling patients with moderate-to-severe RA who respond poorly to, or are intolerant of two or more biological or targeted antirheumatics. The technology comprises a neurostimulator implanted in the torso that sends impulses to the splenic nerve and the app-based software to control it. The theory is that the impulses alter immune cells in the spleen from a pro- to an anti-inflammatory state. Data from the US trial could come this year, and the company told the Financial Times that the device could be on the market in “four or five years”. It seems Galvani is some way behind Setpoint Medical, a group working to similar ends that also counts Glaxo among its investors. Setpoint’s vagus nerve stimulator began its pivotal US trial, also in RA, a year ago, with data expected towards the end of 2023.

https://www.evaluate.com/vantage/articles/news/corporate-strategy-snippets/galvani-finally-enters-clinic