Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc., a company developing novel neuromuscular interfaces and next-generation prosthetic control solutions for people with limb loss, recently announced a strategic partnership with Ottobock, the listed global leader in prosthetics, neuro-orthotics, and wearable human bionics.
The collaboration is anchored by a $5 million investment from Ottobock, serving as lead investor to kick off Blue Arbor’s Series A financing. Ottobock will also hold the position as a major investor and have a seat on Blue Arbor’s Board of Directors. The partnership aims to redefine what is possible in upper and lower limb prosthetics by delivering a clinically validated, fully implanted neuromuscular interface capable of restoring more natural and intuitive movement for people living with limb loss.
“Blue Arbor’s neuromuscular interface represents a highly promising innovation for the next technological leap in prosthetic control — one that aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance human mobility through meaningful innovation,” said Oliver Jakobi, Chief Executive Officer of Ottobock. “We were impressed by their first-in-human case at the Medical University of Vienna and are excited to partner with them as they move into clinical trials.”
The investment builds significant momentum for the next phase of clinical validation, product development, and commercial readiness of Blue Arbor’s flagship RESTORE™ Neuromuscular Interface System. The first-of-its-kind platform directly connects advanced prostheses to a patient’s residual muscles and peripheral nerves. The RESTORE™ System is designed to enable independent and simultaneous control of the fingers, wrist, and elbow, unlocking levels of dexterity, speed, and reliability that approach natural limb movement and provide unparalleled control of today’s most advanced prostheses.
“The RESTORE System is about restoring intuitive, volitional movement – not asking patients to adapt to technology, but designing technology that adapts to human biology,” said Tod Borton, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Arbor Technologies. “Ottobock’s investment and strategic partnership validate the transformative potential of this platform and position us to move faster toward broad clinical impact.”
Unlike conventional prosthetic control approaches – and other neuromuscular interface systems still in development that have yet to demonstrate fully implanted, in-human performance – the RESTOR