ReWalk Robotics, Ltd. (Nasdaq: RWLK) announced today that Retired Marine Captain Derek Herrera, the first American to obtain a ReWalk Personal system after FDA clearance in 2014, has gained approval to receive a new exoskeleton system courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs procurement program.
The VA's policy to provide exoskeletons to paralyzed Veterans was issued in 2015 and benefits Veterans with either service or non-service connected spinal cord injuries. A June 2018 revision to the policy expanded access to training locations across the VA spinal cord injury care network as well as to private rehabilitation centers through the VA's Veterans Choice Program.
Herrera, who sustained his injury while conducting a combat mission in Afghanistan in 2012, obtained a ReWalk Personal 5.0 system in 2014 through a donation from the Marine Raider Foundation. This year, he worked with his local VA hospital to pursue the necessary evaluations and procurement request to obtain the latest ReWalk device- the ReWalk Personal 6.0.
"My ReWalk system has afforded me the opportunity to participate in many important milestones in my life on my own two feet," said Herrera. "I walked at my retirement ceremony from the Marine Corps, and I walked out onto the stage at Stand Up for Heroes with my ReWalk. I am grateful to the VA for providing me a new device and ensuring access to any Veteran who would benefit from one."
Herrera retired from the Marine Corps and was awarded the Bronze Star in 2015. He is currently the President of the Marine Raider Foundation and the Founder and CTO of Spinal Singularity, a company that has developed a wireless bladder management system for urinary catheter users.
"Derek has been a phenomenal advocate for paralyzed Veterans, and we are thrilled he has gained approval to receive the latest generation ReWalk," said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski. "His continued usage is an example of how these devices become an important part of people's lives and management of their health. We anticipate that many ReWalkers will seek new devices every few years, as they do with wheelchairs and other equipment."
ReWalk Robotics has been working with the VA since the policy was issued in 2015 to help provide training and devices nationwide to facilitate its implementation. Herrera is expected to receive his new ReWalk system in the coming weeks.
For more information about the VA policy, or to learn about the ReWalk 6.0 system, please visit: www.rewalk.com.
About ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. develops, manufactures and markets wearable robotic exoskeletons for individuals with lower limb disabilities as a result of spinal cord injury or stroke. The Company's mission is to fundamentally change the quality of life for individuals with lower limb disability through the creation and development of market leading robotic technologies. Founded in 2001, ReWalk has headquarters in the United States, Israel and Germany. For more information on the ReWalk systems, please visit www.rewalk.com.
