No pain, her gain

People who want alternative treatments for pain are turning to SPR Therapeutics,  which is enjoying the surge in interest. This fall, the medical device company founded by Marie Bennett, MS ’98, reported raising $37 million from investors who back the potential of its neurostimulation platform for pain management.

The fresh cash will fund additional clinical research and allow the 12-year-old company to market its pain treatments to a wider audience of people who want to avoid drugs and surgery.

“There is clear interest from physicians and patients in avoiding the use of opioids and permanent implants to relieve pain,” Bennett said in a press release. “Our goal is to ensure that all patients have access to our SPRINT System as an effective, non-opioid treatment.”

SPR Therapeutics offers a device that delivers soothing stimulation to a pain site via wires implanted temporarily beneath the skin. Its product is an outgrowth of Bennett’s graduate work at the Case School of Engineering, where she earned her master’s degree in biomedical engineering. Use of its nerve stimulation system more than doubled in the past year, Bennett said, and the company has now treated more than 6,500 patients.

Bennett, the company president and CEO, worked for Boston Scientific and NDI Medical before launching SPR Therapeutics in 2009. Headquartered in the Cleveland suburb of Highland Hills, her company now has more than 100 employees, including scientists, physicians and business professionals.