electroCore, Inc. Announces Agreement with Spark Biomedical Inc. to Distribute Sparrow Ascent for Opioid Withdrawal
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR) has announced a distribution agreement with Spark Biomedical Inc. to distribute Sparrow Ascent™ within certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. Sparrow Ascent is an FDA-cleared non-invasive transcutaneous auricular neuromodulation device prescribed for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The partnership aims to leverage electroCore's established distribution network to expand access to this drug-free, wearable neurostimulation solution for veterans. The Sparrow Ascent therapy complements electroCore's existing gammaCore™ therapy portfolio, offering VA customers a non-addictive treatment option for opioid withdrawal symptoms.
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR) ha annunciato un accordo di distribuzione con Spark Biomedical Inc. per distribuire Sparrow Ascent™ all'interno di alcune strutture del Dipartimento per i Veterani (VA). Sparrow Ascent è un dispositivo di neuromodulazione auricolare transcutanea non invasivo, approvato dalla FDA, prescritto per trattare i sintomi di astinenza da oppioidi.
La partnership mira a sfruttare la rete di distribuzione consolidata di electroCore per ampliare l'accesso a questa soluzione di neurostimolazione indolore e indossabile per i veterani. La terapia Sparrow Ascent completa il portafoglio esistente di terapie gammaCore™ di electroCore, offrendo ai clienti del VA un'opzione di trattamento non addictiva per i sintomi di astinenza da oppioidi.
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR) ha anunciado un acuerdo de distribución con Spark Biomedical Inc. para distribuir Sparrow Ascent™ en ciertas instalaciones del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos (VA). Sparrow Ascent es un dispositivo de neuromodulación auricular transcutánea no invasivo, aprobado por la FDA, prescrito para tratar los síntomas de abstinencia de opioides.
La asociación tiene como objetivo aprovechar la red de distribución establecida de electroCore para ampliar el acceso a esta solución de neuroestimulación portátil y sin medicamentos para los veteranos. La terapia Sparrow Ascent complementa el portafolio existente de terapia gammaCore™ de electroCore, ofreciendo a los clientes del VA una opción de tratamiento no adictiva para los síntomas de abstinencia de opioides.
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR)는 Spark Biomedical Inc.와 협력하여 일부 재향군인부(VA) 시설 내에서 Sparrow Ascent™를 배포하는 배급 계약을 발표했습니다. Sparrow Ascent는 FDA에서 승인한 비침습적 경피성 귀신경 조절 장치로, 오피오이드 금단 증상을 치료하는 데 처방됩니다.
이 파트너십은 electroCore의 확립된 유통 네트워크를 활용하여 재향군인들을 위한 약물 없는 착용 가능한 신경 자극 솔루션에 대한 접근을 확장하는 것을 목표로 합니다. Sparrow Ascent 치료법은 electroCore의 기존 gammaCore™ 치료 포트폴리오를 보완하여 VA 고객에게 오피오이드 금단 증상에 대한 비중독성 치료 옵션을 제공합니다.
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR) a annoncé un accord de distribution avec Spark Biomedical Inc. pour distribuer Sparrow Ascent™ dans certaines installations du Département des Anciens Combattants (VA). Sparrow Ascent est un dispositif de neuromodulation auriculaire transcutanée non invasif, approuvé par la FDA, prescrit pour traiter les symptômes de sevrage aux opioïdes.
Ce partenariat vise à tirer parti du réseau de distribution établi d'electroCore pour élargir l'accès à cette solution de neurostimulation portable et sans médicament pour les vétérans. La thérapie Sparrow Ascent complète le portefeuille de thérapies gammaCore™ déjà existant d'electroCore, offrant aux clients du VA une option de traitement non addictive pour les symptômes de sevrage aux opioïdes.
electroCore (NASDAQ: ECOR) hat eine Vertriebsvereinbarung mit Spark Biomedical Inc. angekündigt, um Sparrow Ascent™ in bestimmten Einrichtungen des Ministeriums für Veteranenangelegenheiten (VA) zu vertreiben. Sparrow Ascent ist ein von der FDA zugelassenes, nicht-invasives, transkutan aurikuläres Neuromodulationsgerät, das zur Behandlung von Entzugssymptomen bei Opioiden verschrieben wird.
Die Partnerschaft zielt darauf ab, das etablierte Vertriebsnetz von electroCore zu nutzen, um den Zugang zu dieser medikamentenfreien, tragbaren Neurostimulationslösung für Veteranen zu erweitern. Die Sparrow Ascent-Therapie ergänzt das bestehende gammaCore™-Therapieportfolio von electroCore und bietet VA-Kunden eine nicht süchtig machende Behandlungsoption für Opioid-Entzugssymptome.
- Expansion of product portfolio in VA facilities
- Leveraging existing distribution network for new revenue stream
- Strategic entry into opioid withdrawal treatment market
- None.
Insights
electroCore's new distribution agreement for Spark Biomedical's Sparrow Ascent represents a strategic expansion of its neuromodulation portfolio without incurring R&D costs. This partnership targets the substantial veteran population affected by opioid dependence - with approximately 13% of veterans reporting opioid use and an estimated 68,000 veterans with opioid use disorders.
This agreement leverages electroCore's established VA distribution network, creating commercial synergies with their existing gammaCore device. Both technologies use non-invasive neuromodulation, allowing electroCore's sales team to efficiently market complementary solutions to the same clinical buyers. For a company with
The agreement signals electroCore's evolution toward becoming a multi-product neuromodulation platform rather than solely focusing on internal development. This capital-efficient strategy could accelerate revenue growth while diversifying risk across multiple technologies.
While financial terms weren't disclosed, the partnership addresses a critical market need as the VA continues prioritizing non-pharmacological approaches to opioid dependence. The Sparrow Ascent's FDA clearance for withdrawal symptoms provides a competitive advantage over non-cleared alternatives, though reimbursement pathways and adoption rates within the VA system remain key variables that will determine commercial success.
The electroCore-Spark Biomedical partnership brings together two complementary neuromodulation platforms targeting different neurological pathways. The Sparrow Ascent device delivers precisely targeted electrical stimulation to cranial nerves via the auricular (ear) region, effectively modulating brain circuits involved in withdrawal symptoms. Clinical studies have shown this approach can reduce withdrawal scores by up to 85% within 60 minutes of application.
This technology partnership is particularly significant for the VA healthcare system, where approximately 68,000 veterans currently struggle with opioid use disorders. The VA has increasingly prioritized non-pharmacological approaches to addiction treatment, making this FDA-cleared device well-aligned with current clinical directives.
From a technical perspective, the Sparrow Ascent offers several advantages over alternative approaches like TENS units or acupuncture, including precise targeting of specific neural pathways and a standardized, reproducible delivery system. The wearable design improves compliance compared to clinic-based treatments.
For electroCore, this partnership represents a strategic evolution toward becoming a multi-technology neuromodulation platform. By leveraging their established VA distribution network for multiple complementary technologies, they can maximize sales efficiency while addressing different patient populations.
Implementation challenges will include educating VA clinicians on this novel approach and navigating the VA's technology approval processes. However, the device's FDA clearance and non-pharmacological nature should facilitate adoption within a system actively seeking alternatives to medication-based treatments for opioid dependence.
ROCKAWAY, N.J., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company, announced today that Sparrow Ascent™ by Spark Biomedical, an FDA cleared non-invasive transcutaneous auricular neuromodulation device available by prescription for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms, will be distributed by electroCore, Inc. within certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.
“At Spark Biomedical, we are dedicated to pioneering drug-free, wearable neurostimulation solutions that address critical gaps in addiction treatment," said Daniel Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Spark Biomedical, Inc. "This partnership with electroCore represents a significant step forward in expanding access to the Sparrow Ascent™ within VA facilities, offering veterans a clinically validated, FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms. By leveraging electroCore’s established distribution network, we can help more veterans begin their journey to recovery with an effective, drug-free option.”
“We are thrilled to be adding the Sparrow Ascent treatment into our distribution network within the VA hospital system,” commented Dan Goldberger, Chief Executive Officer of electroCore. “We have made considerable progress building our commercial sales organization and continue to look for unique and complementary therapies which can be made available to our customer base. The drug-free, non-addictive, wearable Sparrow Ascent therapy is ideal for veterans suffering from opioid withdrawal symptoms, and we believe it will be well adopted by customers who utilize neuromodulation devices such as our existing gammaCore™ therapy to treat medical conditions.”
About Spark Biomedical
Spark Biomedical, Inc. is a leading U.S.-based medical device developer, committed to unlocking the potential of bioelectronic medicine and bringing to market novel wearable neurostimulation treatment options in behavioral health, women’s health, hemostasis, pediatrics, and chronic pain.
Spark leverages its neuroscience and engineering expertise to empower healthcare providers and researchers with innovative, evidence-based tools designed to address complex care situations which exceed the capabilities of existing treatment options. Spark has received funding from federal institutions, such as the NIH and DoD, and continues to partner with private and academic institutions. Spark Biomedical is empowering a better way forward for the future of patient care and medical technology.
For more information, visit sparkmedical.com.
About electroCore, Inc.
electroCore, Inc. is a commercial stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company dedicated to improving health and promoting general wellness through its non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (“nVNS”) technology platform. The Company is focused on commercializing medical devices for managing and treating certain medical conditions and consumer product offerings utilizing nVNS to promote general wellbeing and human performance in the United States and select overseas markets.
For more information, visit www.electrocore.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other written and oral statements made by representatives of electroCore may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about electroCore's business prospects and clinical and product development plans; its pipeline or potential markets for its technologies; the timing, outcome and impact of regulatory, clinical and commercial developments; the company’s business prospects for distribution of Sparrow Ascent™ for opioid withdrawal symptoms within certain VA facilities or other new markets or other distribution agreements and other statements that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize terminology such as "anticipates," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends," other words of similar meaning, derivations of such words and the use of future dates. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability to raise the additional funding needed to continue to pursue electroCore’s business and product development plans, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies, the ability to commercialize gammaCore™, competition in the industry in which electroCore operates and overall market conditions. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and electroCore assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents electroCore files with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.
Contact:
ECOR Investor Relations
(973) 302-9253
investors@electrocore.com
FAQ
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