National Stroke Association and Ekso Bionics® Announce Educational Partnership to Advance Stroke Rehabilitation with Exoskeleton Technology

CENTENNIAL, Colo., and RICHMOND, Calif., March 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Stroke Association, a nonprofit that provides stroke education and programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and the healthcare community, and Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EKSO), an industry leader in exoskeleton technology for medical and industry use, today announced an educational partnership dedicated to increasing awareness of and access to advance stroke rehabilitation exoskeleton technology that enables earlier mobility and restored independence for survivors of stroke.

The partnership will coincide with National Stroke Awareness Month, in May, and Stroke and Technology Month, in November, when the national spotlight will be on developments in technologies that provide post-stroke independence and improved health outcomes.

An estimated 17 million people around the world experience a stroke each year. More than 60% of survivors of acute stroke find themselves unable to walk or in need of intervention in walking. Impaired ambulation is greatly associated with fall risks, dependency, limited participation in social activities, and lower quality of life. However, with the advent of robotic technologies, such as the EksoGT™, the first FDA-approved exoskeleton device for stroke rehabilitation, the possibility of assisting with ambulation may aid the recovery process by providing earlier mobility and restored independence. 

“This campaign will supplement the reach of our current educational programs and resources for survivors and send out a message that better outcomes in stroke rehabilitation is possible through the use of an exoskeleton technology,” commented Robyn Moore, CEO of the National Stroke Association. “We endeavor to make exoskeleton technologies, such as the EksoGT™, a part of the dialogue between survivors and their circle of care in regards to their goal to regain mobility and restored independence.”

The National Stroke Association’s mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke through education and programs focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support that addresses the needs of stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals in the stroke community nationwide. The National Stroke Association provides services to more than 90,000 stroke survivors, 30,000 caregivers and 110,000 healthcare professionals in the U.S and Canada, with the number of individuals benefiting from the National Stroke Association’s services and resources growing every day.

“As the company behind the first FDA-approved exoskeleton for stroke rehabilitation, we have inherent obligation to ensure survivors and their healthcare providers are better informed and have access to this technology,” said Jack Peurach, CEO and President of Ekso Bionics. “We intend to continue working with the National Stroke Association to establish the EksoGT™ as the standard of care in stroke rehabilitation.”

The National Stroke Association and Ekso Bionics educational campaign will include three branches:

• National and Regional Push to Elevate Survivor Voices
  • Showcasing survivors of stroke and their care team in national and regional arenas to highlight the impact of robotic exoskeleton technologies in rehabilitation.
     
• Comeback Trail 2018
  • As a National Silver Sponsor of the National Stroke Association’s annual Comeback Trail 2018, Ekso Bionics will bolster engagement of local, leading stroke rehabilitation centers to ensure survivors have access to the latest advancements in stroke rehabilitation within their reach.
     
• Sponsored Educational Content
  • Publishing and promoting a series of educational content through Ekso Bionics’ Lean on Me podcast, the National Stroke Association’s monthly e-newsletter, and other platforms to equip survivors of stroke and their care partners with information on the evolving technological landscape in stroke recovery.

About National Stroke Association
The National Stroke Association is the oldest national non-profit in the U.S. that dedicates 100 percent of its efforts on stroke by developing compelling education and programs focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for all impacted by stroke. Visit www.stroke.org for more information.

About EksoGT™
EksoGT™ is the first exoskeleton approved by the FDA for use with stroke and spinal cord injuries from L5 to C7. The EksoGT™ with SmartAssist™ software is the only exoskeleton available for rehabilitation institutions that can provide adaptive amounts of power to either side of a patient’s body, challenging the patient as they progress through their continuum of care. The suit’s patented technology provides the ability to mobilize patients earlier, more frequently, and with a greater number of high intensity steps. To date, this device has helped patients take more than 80 million steps in over 185 rehabilitation institutions around the world.

About Ekso Bionics^®
Ekso Bionics^® is a leading developer of exoskeleton solutions that amplify human potential by supporting or enhancing strength, endurance and mobility across medical and industrial applications. Founded in 2005, the company continues to build upon its unparalleled expertise to design some of the most cutting-edge, innovative wearable robots available on the market. Ekso Bionics is the only exoskeleton company to offer technologies that range from helping those with paralysis to stand up and walk, to enhancing human capabilities on job sites across the globe. The company is headquartered in the Bay Area and is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol EKSO. For more information, visit: www.eksobionics.com or follow us on Twitter: @EksoBionics.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans for, and potential results of, Ekso Bionics’ campaign with the National Stroke Association, the impact of National Stroke Awareness Month and Stroke and Technology Month, efforts to establish EksoGT™ as the standard of care in stroke rehabilitation, and Ekso Bionics’ objectives relating to the design, development and commercialization of human exoskeletons, as well as the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in any of the foregoing statements. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Ekso Bionics’ current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which Ekso Bionics has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, Ekso Bionics’ inability to obtain adequate financing to fund its operations and necessary to develop or enhance its technology, the significant length of time and resources associated with the development of Ekso Bionics’ products, the failure of Ekso Bionics to achieve broad market acceptance of its products, the failure of Ekso Bionics’ sales and marketing organization or partners to market its products effectively, adverse results in future clinical studies of Ekso Bionics’ medical device products, the failure to obtain or maintain patent protection for Ekso Bionics’ technology, failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval to market Ekso Bionics’ medical devices, lack of product diversification, existing or increased competition, and Ekso Bionics’ failure to implement its business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. To learn more about Ekso Bionics please visit us at www.eksobionics.com or follow us on Twitter: @EksoBionics. Ekso Bionics does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Media Contacts:
Glenn Silver
646-871-8485
eksobionics@lazarpartners.com

Jordan Ambron
303-754-0919
jambron@stroke.org  

Investor Contact:
David Carey
212-867-1768
investors@eksobionics.com

Released March 27, 2018