Paralyzed Israeli Soldier Walks Again with Use of the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
Rhea-AI Summary
Lifeward (Nasdaq: LFWD) announced that a paralyzed Israeli soldier has successfully completed training and received a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, becoming the first Israeli war casualty to regain walking ability through this technology. The 25-year-old reserve combat soldier from the IDF Paratroopers Reserve Brigade, who suffered paralysis in both legs, underwent rehabilitation at Beilinson Hospital under Dr. Yaron Watts's supervision.
Dr. Watts described this as a 'precedent-setting historic event' and advocated for the system's recognition by the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense, similar to smart prosthetics provided to amputees. The Israeli Rehabilitation Department is now evaluating the device's safety and effectiveness for other paralyzed Veterans following this successful case.
Positive
- First successful implementation of ReWalk exoskeleton for war casualties in Israel, opening potential military market
- Possible expansion into Israeli military healthcare system through Ministry of Defense evaluation
- Demonstrated real-world effectiveness of the technology with successful patient outcome
Negative
- Current lack of formal approval from Israeli Ministry of Defense for widespread use
- No immediate revenue impact mentioned from this single case
Insights
ReWalk exoskeleton enables paralyzed Israeli soldier to walk again, potentially opening wider adoption by Israel's Defense Ministry.
The successful implementation of Lifeward's ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton for a paralyzed Israeli soldier represents a significant clinical milestone in rehabilitation technology. This case demonstrates the system's capability to restore fundamental mobility functions for individuals with complete lower-limb paralysis in a real-world setting. The 25-year-old paratrooper's ability to stand and walk independently highlights the functional restoration possible with this technology.
What's particularly noteworthy is Dr. Watts' characterization of this as a "precedent-setting historic event" at Beilinson Hospital. His comparison to smart prosthetics suggests a paradigm shift in how we approach mobility solutions for spinal cord injuries. The rehabilitation physician's advocacy positions this technology not as experimental but as essential standard care.
The Israeli Rehabilitation Department's evaluation of the technology for broader implementation signals potential establishment of clinical guidelines for exoskeleton training and procurement. This structured approach to implementation - first with clinical validation followed by home use - aligns with best practices for introducing advanced rehabilitation technologies. If formalized, this would create a reproducible clinical pathway for paralyzed patients to access exoskeleton technology through established medical channels.
Potential government procurement pathway emerging for Lifeward's ReWalk exoskeleton following successful deployment with Israeli veteran.
This announcement represents a meaningful business development opportunity for Lifeward through a potential government procurement channel. The Israeli Ministry of Defense's evaluation of the ReWalk exoskeleton following this successful case establishes a pathway toward possible institutional adoption. If approved, this would mirror existing procurement processes for smart prosthetics, potentially creating a standardized acquisition framework.
The significance extends beyond the individual case study. The collaboration between Lifeward and Beilinson Hospital is explicitly described as "the first step towards a national policy in Israel on Exoskeleton training and procurement." This language suggests institutional infrastructure development rather than just a one-off implementation.
For Lifeward, this represents potential market expansion into a new vertical with several favorable characteristics: 1) government-funded programs typically offer stable reimbursement, 2) military applications often establish precedents for civilian adoption, and 3) success in Israel could serve as a reference model for other countries' military rehabilitation programs. The demonstrated efficacy with the Israeli soldier provides a compelling case study that strengthens Lifeward's position when approaching other institutional customers.
Cooperation between Lifeward and Beilinson Hospital marks the first step towards a national policy in Israel on Exoskeleton training and procurement
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeward Ltd., (Nasdaq: LFWD) (“Lifeward” or the “Company”), a global leader in innovative medical technology to transform the lives of people with physical limitations or disabilities, today announced that an Israeli soldier wounded in the current war has completed training and has taken home his own ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. The soldier, who is paralyzed in both legs, becomes the first Israeli injured in the war to use an exoskeleton to stand and walk again.
The 25 year-old reserve combat soldier in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Paratroopers Reserve Brigade shared his story and experiences using the ReWalk with Israel Hayom, the most widely distributed daily newspaper in Israel.
In the article, he said:
“I want to show and emphasize that everything is possible, and that this device must be approved for every paralyzed wounded person and anyone else who needs it—just like smart prosthetics are purchased for amputees. It’s life-changing. It’s hard to describe the amazing feeling of learning to use your body again, to stand, to walk—by myself!”
The soldier had access to the ReWalk during rehabilitation at Beilinson Hospital working with Dr. Yaron Watts, who described the rehabilitation process and use of the ReWalk as, “a precedent-setting historic event.”
In the article, Dr. Watts spoke about others wounded in the war and the importance for them to have access to this technology.
“I believe it’s extremely important for this system to be recognized by the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense—just like smart prosthetics that are purchased for leg and arm amputees. This is a historic breakthrough that can serve other wounded soldiers, and other paralyzed individuals as well. This is something that absolutely must be approved for them. They deserve it.”
The Israeli Rehabilitation Department within the Ministry of Defense told the newspaper that following the successful experience with this soldier, it is now evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the device for other paralyzed Veterans in Israel.
“Lifeward is proud to provide an exoskeleton to help transform this soldier’s life,” said Larry Jasinski, CEO of Lifeward. “We are dedicated to expanding access to the ReWalk for all eligible users, especially the brave men and women of the armed forces who suffer injuries in combat.”
About Lifeward
Lifeward designs, develops, and commercializes life-changing solutions that span the continuum of care in physical rehabilitation and recovery, delivering proven functional and health benefits in clinical settings as well as in the home and community. Our mission at Lifeward is to relentlessly drive innovation to change the lives of individuals with physical limitations or disabilities. We are committed to delivering groundbreaking solutions that empower individuals to do what they love. The Lifeward portfolio features innovative products including the ReWalk Exoskeleton, the AlterG Anti-Gravity System, the ReStore Exo-Suit, and the MyoCycle FES System. Founded in 2001, Lifeward has operations in the United States, Israel, and Germany.
Lifeward®, ReWalk®, ReStore®, and Alter G® are registered trademarks of Lifeward Ltd. and/or its affiliates.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may include projections regarding the Company's future performance and other statements that are not statements of historical fact and, in some cases, may be identified by words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future," "will," "should," "would," "seek" and similar terms or phrases. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's current expectations, which are subject to uncertainty, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: the acceptance of the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton by healthcare professionals and patients; uncertainties associated with future clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process and FDA regulatory submission review and approval process; the Company's ability to have sufficient funds to meet certain future capital requirements, which could impair the Company's efforts to develop and commercialize existing and new products; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its reputation and the market acceptance of its products; the Company's ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payors, including CMS, for its products; the Company's limited operating history and its ability to leverage its sales, marketing and training infrastructure; the Company's expectations as to its clinical research program and clinical results; the Company's expectations regarding future growth, including its ability to increase sales in its existing geographic markets and expand to new markets; the Company's ability to obtain certain components of its products from third-party suppliers and its continued access to its product manufacturers; the Company’s ability to navigate any difficulties associated with moving production of its AlterG Anti-Gravity Systems to a contract manufacturer; the Company's ability to improve its products and develop new products; the Company's compliance with medical device reporting regulations to report adverse events involving the Company's products, which could result in voluntary corrective actions or enforcement actions such as mandatory recalls, and the potential impact of such adverse events on the Company's ability to market and sell its products; the Company's ability to gain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property and to avoid violation of the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of a cybersecurity attack or breach of the Company's IT systems significantly disrupting its business operations; the Company's ability to use effectively the proceeds of its offerings of securities; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from the statements contained herein may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Lifeward Media Relations:
Kathleen O’Donnell
Vice President, Marketing & New Business Development
Lifeward Ltd.
E: media@golifeward.com
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Lifeward Ltd.
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FAQ
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