Nalu PNS System Significantly Reduces Healthcare-Related Costs in Chronic Pain Patients

Nalu Medical, Inc. (“Nalu”), a leader in peripheral nerve stimulation, announced the publication of a study in Pain Management journal showing that the use of Nalu PNS therapy in chronic pain patients is associated with lower healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and a significant reduction in associated costs., including a 61% overall reduction in outpatient costs.¹

This independently analyzed real-world study conducted by research firm OM1 evaluated medical claims data in a comprehensive database of more than 340 million patient lives (OM1’s Real-World Data Cloud, OM1, Boston, MA). The study compared patients’ healthcare-related cost estimates 12 months before versus 12 months after implant with a Nalu micro-IPG PNS System in patients receiving an implant between 2019 and 2023.

Patients treated with the Nalu PNS System experienced a 50% reduction in total medical costs in the 12-month period post-implant compared to the 12-month period pre-implant. This led to cost savings of $13,776 per patient in the 12-month post-implant period.

“We are excited to provide the first report of healthcare economic data for a permanent PNS device,” said Hemant Kalia, MD, MPH, FIPP, FACPM, of Invision Health, Rochester, NY, an author of the paper. “As responsible practitioners, it is important that we show healthcare savings in addition to improved patient outcomes in order to ensure patient access to this important therapy.”

Key findings:

• 61% reduction in mean total outpatient costs: outpatient costs significantly decreased, highlighting potential savings for both patients and healthcare systems.
• 38% reduction in the amount of additional services costs: costs associated with additional services such as imaging and procedures saw a notable decline.
• 31% decrease in the number of patients using opioids: the Nalu PNS System may contribute to reduced reliance on opioids for pain management.

"These findings show that the Nalu PNS System not only improves patients’ lives by reducing chronic pain, but also significantly reduces healthcare costs,” said Tom West, Nalu CEO. “The data clearly demonstrate the substantial value of Nalu PNS therapy to private and public payors looking to optimize cost of care. This is a highly effective, clinically proven, opioid-free, long-term solution for patients seeking relief from chronic neuropathic pain.”

About Nalu Medical

Nalu is a Carlsbad, California-based medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative and minimally invasive solutions for patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The Nalu Neurostimulation System delivers gentle electrical pulses to the nervous system to modulate pain signals before they get to the brain. The Nalu System was designed to address major unmet needs in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and provide a differentiated value proposition for patients and physicians.

About the Nalu Neurostimulation System

The Nalu System consists of a fully featured, battery-free, miniaturized implantable pulse generator (IPG) that is powered wirelessly by an externally worn Therapy Disc and controlled through a smartphone-based remote control app. Despite its small size, the Nalu micro-IPG™ delivers treatment capabilities similar to larger IPGs as well as unique advantages associated with advanced waveforms, extensive programming options, exceptional upgradability, and an expected service life of 18 years. The Nalu System has been repeatedly recognized for its revolutionary technology, including being named as one of the world’s top 100 new products by R&D Magazine in 2021 and ranking number 19 in the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500. It is FDA-cleared for Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) indications. To learn more, visit www.nalumed.com.

Indications for Use

Spinal Cord Stimulation — The Nalu SCS System is indicated as the sole mitigating agent or as an adjunct to other modes of therapy used in a multidisciplinary approach for chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs, including unilateral or bilateral pain. The trial devices are solely used for trial stimulation (≤ 30 days) to determine efficacy before recommendation for a permanent (long-term) device.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation — The Nalu PNS System is indicated for pain management in adults who have severe chronic intractable pain of peripheral nerve origin as the sole mitigating agent or as an adjunct to other modes of therapy used in a multidisciplinary approach. The Nalu Neurostimulation System for PNS is not intended to treat pain in the craniofacial region. The trial devices are solely used for trial stimulation (≤ 30 days) to determine efficacy before recommendation for a permanent (long-term) device.

Nalu, the Nalu logo, and micro-IPG are trademarks of Nalu Medical, Inc.

1. Kalia H, Thapa B, Staats P, et al. Real-world healthcare utilization and costs of peripheral nerve stimulation with a micro-IPG system. Pain Manag. Jan 6 2025:1-10. doi:10.1080/17581869.2025.2449810

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