Eurostars Project OptiStim Kick-Off Meeting

Team members from Z43 and Salvia BioElectronics B.V. meet virtually to kick off the newly approved Eurostars project OptiStim.

In a collaborative effort to develop an effective therapy for chronic migraine and chronic cluster headache, team members from Z43 and Salvia BioElectronics B.V. met on May 31, 2022, to kick off the newly approved Eurostars project “OptiStim: Optimal Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Headaches”.

At the meeting, the project partners set expectations and discussed the next steps. OptiStim aims to alleviate patient suffering by developing a unique thin and flexible bioelectronics implant than can be inserted into the head under the skin to stimulate nerves. In silico studies and dosimetric measurements will be used to optimize device design and therapy. In OptiStim, the head and neck anatomy across the patient population will be mapped and neuro-functionalized models will be created to optimize (i) electrode design and configuration, (ii) safe implant placement, and (iii) treatment parameters. The partners have a synergetic approach: Salvia will develop soft bioelectronic foils with flat electrodes, while Z43 will develop neuro-functionalized craniofacial models and perform in silico safety assessments. This will enable effective electrode design aimed at selectively triggering targeted nerves while avoiding muscle activation. The project will benefit from the use of the computational life sciences platform Sim4Life, jointly developed by IT’IS and its Z43 partner ZMT Zurich MedTech AG.

We look forward to an exciting collaboration!