Helius Booth and Special Event at APTA Combined Sections Meeting Will Highlight Physical Therapists’ Ability to Customize PoNS Therapy® to Improve Gait in People with MS
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Insights
The expansion of Helius Medical Technologies' engagement with physical therapists through the training and deployment of the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) represents a critical step forward in the treatment of gait issues in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The medical research community is particularly interested in the efficacy and adoption rates of such innovative therapies. The PoNS device, being non-implantable and used in conjunction with physical therapy, offers a unique approach compared to traditional MS treatments. As this therapy becomes more widespread, it is essential to monitor patient outcomes to assess the long-term benefits and any potential side effects.
Moreover, the increase in trained physical therapists across the United States, especially in states with higher MS prevalence, indicates a strategic move by Helius to address a significant market need. This expansion could potentially lead to increased adoption of PoNS therapy, which would have implications for the company's revenue growth and market share. However, it is important to consider the cost of training and the return on investment for both the company and healthcare providers, as well as the accessibility of the therapy for patients.
From a market perspective, Helius Medical Technologies' presence at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting is a strategic marketing effort to increase brand visibility and adoption of the PoNS device among physical therapists. The after-hours event is an opportunity to foster relationships with key stakeholders and influencers in the physical therapy community, which could lead to increased referrals and usage of the PoNS device. As physical therapists are crucial in administering PoNS therapy, their buy-in can significantly impact market penetration.
It is important to track the market's response to Helius' initiatives, including any changes in stock market performance following the event and subsequent adoption rates of the PoNS therapy. Increased market presence and product adoption could signal investor confidence and potential for growth, but it is also crucial to balance this against the costs associated with marketing and training initiatives. The company's ability to scale up operations and manage supply chain effectively in response to increased demand will be a key factor in sustaining growth.
The dissemination of PoNS therapy across the United States has implications for healthcare economics, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness and the impact on healthcare spending. The training of physical therapists in the use of PoNS therapy could lead to a decrease in the long-term healthcare costs associated with MS if the therapy proves to be effective in improving patient mobility and reducing complications. This could also affect insurance coverage policies and reimbursement rates for new therapies like PoNS.
However, the initial costs of therapy and training must be weighed against the potential savings. The economic impact will depend on the therapy's price point, the cost of training for providers and the therapy's effectiveness compared to existing treatments. If PoNS therapy leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced reliance on more expensive or invasive treatments, it could be a financially beneficial addition to MS care regimens. It is essential to conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses to understand the full economic impact of the widespread adoption of PoNS therapy.
Event Appearance Caps Year of Growth: PoNS®-Trained PTs Now Found Across the United States
NEWTOWN, Pa., Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSDT) is expanding its presence at the 2024 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), held February 15 through February 17 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center: In addition to exhibiting its innovative Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS®) at booth 7074, the company also is hosting an after-hours event on February 16.
At both venues, Helius will spotlight the role physical therapists play in using PoNS, a non-implantable, orally applied, electrical stimulation therapy that, when used in combination with rehabilitative physical exercise, improves gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). CSM attendees can register for the after-hours event at booth 7074 or online at https://forms.gle/FEqwwRZpJj38aJRW9. Attendees are encouraged to register soon since space is limited.
Helius’ appearance at the conference follows the first full year PoNS was available to MS patients in the United States, during which Helius’ engagement with physical therapists grew remarkably. Today, PoNS-trained physical therapists are on the ground across the country, including the 10 states where MS is most prevalent, such as New York, California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Michigan.
“Physical therapists are integral to the success of PoNS Therapy. PoNS Therapy requires them to use their clinical expertise to develop an appropriate treatment regimen that addresses the patient's specific deficits with a goal of improving their gait,” said Whitney Patrickson, DPT, Helius' Director of Physical Therapy. “We’re eager to engage with CSM attendees to discuss the therapeutic benefit as well as the flexibility and latitude that PoNS offers in tailoring the therapy to the needs of each patient.”
Visitors to the Helius booth can learn more about PoNS Therapy from Patrickson and Janet Holland, Helius’ Director of Sales Development, including how PoNS works, how to become a registered PoNS trainer, and how to integrate PoNS Therapy into clinical practice.
These topics will carry over to the after-hours event, held from 5-6:30 p.m. on February 16 at booth 7074. Joining Patrickson and Holland will be Dr. Naseem Chatiwala, DPT, MS, whose presentation will focus on her experience bringing PoNS into her clinical practice and the therapeutic benefits she has observed from its use.
“APTA’s CSM offers the opportunity for physical therapists to become aware of innovative treatments that can reshape the physical rehabilitation field,” Patrickson said. “PoNS Therapy gives physical therapists a powerful new tool to counter some of the life-changing effects of MS, and we look forward to speaking with physical therapists about PoNS and highlighting its therapeutic potential.”
About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.
Helius Medical Technologies is a leading neurotech company in the medical device field focused on neurologic deficits using orally applied technology platform that amplifies the brain’s ability to engage physiologic compensatory mechanisms and promote neuroplasticity, improving the lives of people dealing with neurologic diseases. The Company’s first commercial product is the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator. For more information visit www.heliusmedical.com.
About the PoNS Device and PoNS Therapy
The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) is an innovative, non-implantable, orally applied therapy that delivers neurostimulation through a mouthpiece connected to a controller and it’s used, primarily at home, with physical rehabilitation exercise, to improve balance and gait. The PoNS device, which delivers mild electrical impulses to the tongue, is indicated for use in the United States as a short-term treatment of gait deficit due to mild-to-moderate symptoms from multiple sclerosis (“MS”) and is to be used as an adjunct to a supervised therapeutic exercise program in patients 22 years of age and over by prescription only.
PoNS has shown effectiveness in treating gait or balance and a significant reduction in the risk of falling in stroke patients in Canada, where it received authorization for sale in three indications: (i) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from stroke and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; (ii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of chronic balance deficit due to mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (“mmTBI”) and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; and (iii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from MS and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy. PoNS is also authorized for sale in Australia for short term use by healthcare professionals as an adjunct to a therapeutic exercise program to improve balance and gait. For more information visit www.ponstherapy.com.
Cautionary Disclaimer Statement
Certain statements in this news release are not based on historical facts and constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “goal,” “aim” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding Helius’ participation in the upcoming APTA conference at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center and the uses and effectiveness of PoNS and PoNS Therapy.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include uncertainties associated with the Company’s capital requirements to achieve its business objectives, disruptions in the banking system and financial markets, the effect of macroeconomic conditions and the Company’s ability to access capital markets, the Company’s ability to continue to train physical therapists in the supervision of the use of the PoNS Treatment, the Company’s ability to secure additional contracts with rehabilitation clinics, the Company’s ability to obtain national Medicare coverage and to obtain a reimbursement code so that the PoNS device is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, the Company’s ability to build internal commercial infrastructure, secure state distribution licenses, build a commercial team and build relationships with Key Opinion Leaders, neurology experts and neurorehabilitation centers, market awareness of the PoNS device, availability of funds, manufacturing, labor shortage and supply chain risks, our ability to maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights, clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process, the regulatory submission review and approval process, our operating costs and use of cash, and our ability to achieve significant revenues, ongoing government regulation, and other risks detailed from time to time in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulators, which can be obtained from either at www.sec.gov or www.sedar.com.
The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements except to the extent required by law.
Public Relations Contact
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PSC Consulting
patty@pscconsulting.net
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FAQ
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