FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Study Demonstrates NOVABLOC™ Provides Up to 20 Days of Continuous Postoperative Pain Relief After Knee Replacement Surgery

Innovative radiofrequency-based neuromodulation technology enables mobility-preserving pain relief with limited opioid use

Orlando, FL – May 3, 2025 – Synaptrix, a medical technology startup based in Atlanta, presented promising clinical results for its novel pain management system, NOVABLOC™, at the 50th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine (ASRA) meeting. The data, shared by Dr. Stuart Grant of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, showed that the NOVABLOC™ device can deliver up to 20 days of continuous postoperative pain relief following knee replacement surgery—with limited use of opioids and without impairing motor function¹.

The clinical study, presented by Dr. Grant and Dr. David Auyong from Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, evaluated the use of radiofrequency (RF) stimulation as a non-opioid alternative for postoperative pain management. The NOVABLOC™ system, which is still in development, will undergo a multi-site randomized controlled trial in 2025, with FDA clearance anticipated in early 2026.

Unlike traditional nerve blocks that can cause motor impairment, NOVABLOC™ targets only pain- transmitting fibers, preserving critical functions such as movement, touch, and proprioception. This may allow patients to begin rehabilitation sooner and with greater comfort.

In the IRB-approved, multi-center feasibility study, 32 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) received NOVABLOC TM to the femoral and sciatic nerves 1–3 days before surgery. Compared to a sham group, patients in the treatment group reported significantly lower pain scores, pain interference and improved function for up to three weeks postoperatively.

“This technology addresses a major unmet need in post-surgical pain control—providing long-lasting relief without compromising mobility or increasing addiction risk,” said Dr. Grant. “NOVABLOC™ may represent a breakthrough in postoperative pain management and may soon change the standard-of-care for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).”

Importantly, no long-term adverse effects were observed among patients receiving RF stimulation. These findings support the need for larger-scale randomized trials to further assess NOVABLOC’s potential across other orthopedic procedures, such as shoulder arthroplasty.

The need for opioid-free pain solutions remains urgent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 81,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2023.

“Modern day treatments for postoperative pain management are largely insufficient. They are either plagued by short-lasting pain control, limit physical rehabilitation, or invite opioid use,” said Founder and CEO Shyamy Sastry. “The NOVABLOC™ system is a groundbreaking neuromodulation technology designed to deliver 20+ days of pain relief without impacting motor function or touch. Altogether, the system treats postoperative pain for days to weeks while promoting rehabilitation and reducing the need for opioids.”

With more than 1.3 million total knee replacements performed annually in the U.S. alone,² the potential impact of NOVABLOC™ is substantial. Synaptrix is currently finalizing plans for its pivotal, multi-site randomized clinical study set to begin later this year.

For more information on NOVABLOC™, visit novabloc.com or contact:

Media contact: Julianna Musgrove, Julianna.Musgrove@synaptrix.net

Study contact: Dan Guerrero, MS, Dan.Guerrero@synaptrix.net

About Synaptrix

Synaptrix is a clinical-stage medical technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to revolutionizing the post-surgical experience by eliminating the need for opioids. Backed by a leadership team with decades of experience in medtech innovation and commercialization, Synaptrix is advancing a new standard in pain management through proprietary neuromodulation science.

This release describes our product, which has not been approved or cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is considered an investigational device.

1 Grant SA, Auyong D, Alexeeva N, Schepis E. Radiofrequency Stimulation for Regional Analgesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Abstract presented at: American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) 49th Annual Meeting; 2025 May 3; Orlando, FL.

2 Upfill-Brown A, Hsiue PP, Sekimura T, Shi B, Ahlquist SA, Patel JN, Adamson M, Stavrakis AI. Epidemiology of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty in the United States, 2012 to 019. Arthroplast Today. 2022 May 21;15:188-195.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.artd.2022.03.004. PMID: 35774881; PMCID: PMC9237286.