NeuroSpan Bridge to repair damaged peripheral nerves
The Neurospan Bridge: A Device for Peripheral Nerve Repair
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC. · NIH-11361743
This project is trying an implantable scaffold called NeuroSpan to help people with peripheral nerve injuries regrow nerves and recover function.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11361743 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would receive an implantable, biomimetic scaffold with multiple tiny channels that keeps regenerating nerve fibers lined up so they can reach the correct targets. NeuroSpan has been tested in animal models for gaps up to 3 cm and showed better results than existing devices and nerve autografts in those tests. The project will complete final preclinical safety and performance work, submit an IDE to the FDA, and run a small feasibility clinical study in people. If the feasibility study is successful, the team plans to pursue 510(k) clearance for wider clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a recent traumatic peripheral nerve gap who are eligible for surgical repair and willing to enroll in an early clinical device study.
Not a fit: People with long-standing, fully healed nerve injuries, generalized neuropathies, or injuries that do not require surgical bridging are unlikely to benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NeuroSpan could let injured nerves regrow more reliably and reduce the need to harvest nerve grafts from your own body.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies have been promising and showed superiority to autograft in long-gap models, but clinical benefit in humans has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES
- AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC. — SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KOFFLER, YACOV — AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
- Study coordinator: KOFFLER, YACOV
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.