SPARC has closed. Its stated purpose: "accelerate development of therapeutic devices that modulate electrical activity in nerves to improve organ function." Here Patel and colleagues lay out what a decade bought: over $350 million, close to 100 projects, 500 papers, 300 open datasets, cross-species vagus maps, ASCENT for modeling stimulation, safety models now used in FDA submissions, open implant platforms. All of it public. SPARC was a big win for bioelectronic medicine. But was it a big enough win, and where are we today? We know very little more about translating this technology to the millions of patients who need it. We have precious few randomized, well powered, controlled trials of implanted VNS or taVNS in people suffering the complications of inflammation. That may not have been SPARC's stated mission. But the basic anti-inflammatory mechanisms were already well established when the program began. We need to move faster from mechanism to therapy. The obstacles are real. As a cofounder of SetPoint Medical, I know them well. So what are the solutions? Where are the new paths to moving faster? Should we accelerate studies of approved devices to expand their indications? Should we run well designed trials of the over-the-counter devices to get answers to simple questions about wellness and effectiveness? There is a fantastic opportunity for new entrants with new ideas. Who are you, and what are your ideas? link.springer.com/article/10…

Kudos to @carlhjune @PennMedicine and Michel Sadelain @Columbia for receiving the 13th Ross Prize “for their pioneering work in developing CAR T‑cell therapy for cancer treatment.” The Ross prize holds a special place in the history of science and medicine because it specifically honors the convergence of science, medicine and technology that led to directly to new therapies. And it celebrates the excellence of the outstanding individuals who persist from the discovery, to the development, and through the deployment of new therapies that alleviate suffering for the world. Congratulations Carl and Michele! @NYASciences @NorthwellHealth @MolMedBMC @SpringerNature

Thank you @katiecouric for the terrific convo and thoughtful article about the #vagusnerve & #inflammation. Looking forward to when VNS may become broadly available for patients with #RA and other conditions because of clinical trials from @SetPointMed katiecouric.com/health/vagus…

“A study published in 2021 by scientists from GE Research and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research described how using ultrasound to stimulate metabolic sensory neurons in the livers of mice” fiercebiotech.com/medtech/gl…

I really enjoyed chatting on the @BiPiSci podcast with Molly @mollycbentley and Seth @SethShostak! Thank you for having me on and for pushing out the facts and science about bioelectronic medicine, the #vagus nerve, wound healing, @DARPA and more! bigpicturescience.org/episod…