Innovating pain relief: An interview with CNS Therapy founder Marc Mathys

August 14, 2024

CNS Therapy is revolutionizing the approach to chronic pain management. By developing a unique solution that combines behavioral therapy with cutting-edge medical devices, they help patients live pain-free lives. In this interview with Marc Mathys, CEO and co-Founder, we discuss the challenges of traditional pain treatment methods and how CNS Therapy’s innovative approach addresses these issues. Moreover, find here why the company is based at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura.

Watch the interview right here

Can you tell us about yourself and what CNS Therapy is all about? 

Marc Mathys: Sure! I’m Marc Mathys, the founder of CNF Therapy. Our mission is to tackle the massive issue of chronic pain, which affects so many patients and their families. Chronic pain is a serious problem, and we’ve developed a solution that aims to make these patients pain-free. We use a combination of behavioral therapy and a medical device designed to strengthen the autonomic nervous system.

How does your approach differ from traditional methods of treating chronic pain?

Marc Mathys: Historically, the medical community has tried to stop pain by blocking noxious inputs from the body to the brain. This has been done with medications, surgeries, implants, and nerve denervation—essentially trying to stop the pain signals before they reach the brain. However, what hasn’t been fully appreciated is that the brain isn’t just an input device; it’s an output device. Pain is a psychosocial output, and it’s influenced by what people feel and want to feel. In our therapy, we teach patients how to turn off their pain, much like how someone can stop feeling cold. It’s a different perspective from the traditional methods.

You mentioned a unique perspective on pain perception. Can you explain how that works?

Marc Mathys: Absolutely. Think about a 90-year-old who, despite having many age-related system failures, doesn’t experience chronic pain. Yet, many younger people, especially older females with fibromyalgia, suffer constantly. This happens because their brains don’t turn off the pain signals. We help patients learn how to turn off these signals, allowing them to live without chronic pain. It’s a completely different approach from what has been traditionally done in the medical community.

How has your experience been working at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura?

Marc Mathys: It’s been fantastic! There are three main reasons for this. First, the facilities are excellent, but more importantly, the people are amazing. They have a tremendous positive attitude and a strong drive to innovate and get things done. The environment is very supportive. Second, due to the local history of watchmaking and its extension into microelectronics, there’s a wealth of local expertise in making medical devices. This has been crucial for us, especially since our device involves both microelectronics and software. We’ve found some wonderful consultants and have received great support from the local university. Finally, from a personal and business perspective, the area is very convenient. It’s a small town, so I can easily ride my bike around. There are good restaurants and it’s just a great place to be.

In 2023 CNS Therapy raised a seed round funding totaling CHF1,000,000 from private investors and CHF139,200 in Jura Cantonal financial support. The funds will be used to complete their patented medical device and the regulatory filing to the FDA under the 510K program. They continue to successfully treat patients at the University of Marburg Pain Clinic. “We are taking a unique approach that combines biology and psychology that has proven to be very effective. We are focused on bringing the technology from the lab to the market” said the company.

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Due to the local history of watchmaking and its extension into microelectronics, there’s a wealth of local expertise in making medical devices in the Jura. This has been crucial for us, especially since our device involves both microelectronics and software.

Marc Mathys, Co-founder and CEO, CNS Therapy