Developing sensory socks to support walking in people with diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic nerve damage can cause persistent pain and reduce sensation in the feet, making walking less stable and raising fall risk. Patients may cut back on daily activity. Relief of pain alone does not necessarily restore the sensory feedback needed for confident movement.
MYNERVA is developing Leia, an investigational sensory sock for people with diabetic neuropathy. It turns pressure measurements into personalized nerve stimulation, aiming to restore useful foot feedback and help users walk more confidently.
What stands out about MYNERVA
Leia’s sham-controlled Swiss trial began in June 2026 and is recruiting adults with peripheral neuropathy, with planned enrollment of 80.
In a one-day study, the founders’ NeuroStep research system raised mean gait scores from 20.7 without feedback to 23.5 with it in 13 patients.
MYNERVA completed the first closing of its seed round on 30 June 2026, following incorporation in June 2025.
MYNERVA won the Diamond Prize at the 2025 MassChallenge Switzerland Awards, receiving CHF 140,000 in non-dilutive cash.
MYNERVA is an ETH Zurich spin-off developing wearable sensory-stimulation technology to support mobility in people with neuropathy.
MYNERVA was selected for MassChallenge Switzerland’s four-month 2025 accelerator, alongside 102 other early-stage startups.
MYNERVA won the 2025 Venture Awards Grand Prize worth CHF 150,000 and first place in the Health & Nutrition category.
MYNERVA was one of three winners of the American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Innovation Challenge for its neuroprosthetic smart sock.
The MYNERVA founding project won the 2023 DCB Diabetes Devices prize: US$50,000 in funding plus US$50,000 in services.
MYNERVA’s Wyss Zurich translational project lists Balgrist University Hospital as a project partner for its neuropathy technology.
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