Bioness Acquires PoNS, Uniting Brain and Body Rehabilitation

VALENCIA, Calif. – April 09, 2026 – Bioness Medical, Inc., a long-standing leader in neurorehabilitation technology, announced today its acquisition of the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS®) System. The strategic move signals a significant shift in the company's approach, expanding its platform from stimulating affected limbs to directly engaging the brain, creating a powerful new paradigm for patient recovery.

For nearly two decades, Bioness has been synonymous with functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technology that applies electrical currents to paralyzed or weakened muscles to restore function. Its devices, like the L300 Go®, have helped countless patients recovering from stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to regain mobility. Now, by acquiring the PoNS System, Bioness is venturing into central neuromodulation, a technique designed to promote neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

The acquisition unites two distinct but complementary philosophies of rehabilitation: Bioness’s peripheral, body-focused FES with the PoNS System's central, brain-focused stimulation. This integrated approach aims to create a more holistic and powerful toolkit for clinicians and patients battling complex neurological conditions.

"PoNS technology represents a differentiated approach to neuromodulation that complements our core FES platform," said Todd Cushman, Chief Executive Officer of Bioness Medical, in a statement. "With PoNS, we expand beyond peripheral stimulation into central neuromodulation—offering clinicians a non-invasive therapy that engages neural pathways involved in balance and gait. This positions Bioness to deliver more comprehensive, multi-modal rehabilitation solutions to patients."

A Tale of Two Technologies: Central Meets Peripheral

The PoNS device is a novel, non-invasive system that delivers mild electrical stimulation to the surface of the tongue. This stimulation targets two major cranial nerves, the trigeminal and facial nerves, which have direct pathways into the brainstem and cerebellum—key areas for balance, coordination, and movement. When used in conjunction with physical therapy, the therapy is believed to amplify the brain's neuroplastic potential, helping it to relearn and restore lost function.

The device received FDA marketing authorization in the United States in March 2021 as an adjunct therapy for improving gait in patients with mild to moderate symptoms from MS. It is also authorized for sale in Canada for treating gait and balance deficits stemming from MS, stroke, and mild-to-moderate TBI.

Combining this central stimulation with Bioness's established FES technology presents a compelling therapeutic strategy. While a patient performs physical therapy exercises, an FES device like the L300 Go could activate the muscles needed for walking, while the PoNS device simultaneously stimulates the brain's control centers. The theory is that this dual-front attack on neurological impairment could produce a synergistic effect, leading to faster and more durable functional gains than either therapy could achieve alone.

From Financial Strain to Strategic Asset

The PoNS System arrives at Bioness following a turbulent history for its previous owner, Helius Medical Technologies. While the technology showed clinical promise, the company faced significant commercial headwinds. In 2019, Helius's stock price plummeted after the FDA denied its initial application to market the PoNS device for traumatic brain injury, citing insufficient data. This regulatory setback was a major blow.

More recently, Helius struggled with reimbursement challenges. In 2024, the company expressed public disagreement with the reimbursement rate set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the PoNS mouthpiece, arguing it was insufficient to support research and development. These financial pressures culminated in November 2024, when Helius announced it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential sale.

For Bioness, Helius's struggles created a strategic opportunity to acquire a clinically validated and innovative technology at a critical juncture. Bioness can now leverage its own established commercial infrastructure, deep relationships with rehabilitation providers, and financial backing to unlock the full potential of the PoNS System in a way its previous owner could not.

The Accelmed Playbook: Building a Neurorehab Powerhouse

This acquisition is the latest and most significant move in a deliberate strategy orchestrated by Bioness Medical’s parent company, Accelmed Partners. The private equity firm, which specializes in the HealthTech sector, acquired Bioness in late 2024, making it an independent company. The PoNS deal marks the third acquisition for Bioness under Accelmed's ownership, highlighting a classic "buy-and-build" strategy.

Accelmed's approach involves acquiring a solid platform company—in this case, Bioness—and then aggressively expanding its portfolio with targeted acquisitions of innovative technologies. This strategy is rapidly transforming Bioness from a focused FES provider into a comprehensive neurorehabilitation powerhouse, equipped to compete in a market projected to exceed $5 billion by 2032.

By integrating the PoNS System, Bioness not only expands its product offerings but also significantly widens its addressable market. It can now offer a multi-modal solution that is unique in the industry, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for clinics seeking the most advanced rehabilitation technologies. This move is poised to strengthen its leadership position and capture a larger share of the rapidly growing neuromodulation and neurorehabilitation sectors.

The Road Ahead: Integration, Research, and Patient Access

With the acquisition complete, the real work of integration begins. Bioness will focus on incorporating the PoNS System into its commercial channels and training its network of clinicians on the new combined therapy protocols. The company has stated that the acquisition will bolster its research and development capabilities, with a specific focus on conducting clinical programs to validate the efficacy of combination therapy approaches.

Key challenges remain. The success of PoNS therapy is highly dependent on patient adherence to a rigorous, supervised exercise program, and integrating a second technology could add complexity. Furthermore, securing favorable reimbursement from insurers—the very issue that plagued Helius—will be critical for ensuring broad patient access and commercial success.

However, by bringing the PoNS System under the umbrella of a larger, financially stable, and commercially experienced organization, its prospects have been significantly enhanced. For the thousands of patients living with the daily challenges of neurological disorders, this union of brain and body-focused therapies represents a new and promising frontier in the journey toward recovery.