Are you forced to watch as tremors rob you of simple tasks? Do you know someone whose hands shake uncontrollably, making daily living a struggle? Millions suffer from essential tremors and Parkinson’s tremors, conditions that steal dignity and independence. But hope arrives, not from risky surgery or drugs with side effects, but from Kate Rosenbluth, PhD, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Cala Health. She offers a breakthrough: relief from hand tremors, delivered through a wristband, no scalpel required. This is not just innovation; it is a revolution in treatment, led by a scientist who saw a patient’s despair and demanded a better way.
Most people with tremors resign themselves to a life of shaking hands, spilled drinks, and frustrated tasks. Is brain surgery the only option for those who have tried every drug and found no relief? Kate Rosenbluth refused to accept this limited outlook. She witnessed a patient, Jim, facing this very dilemma. He was ineligible for surgery, drugs had failed, and he was left without hope. This moment ignited a fire in Rosenbluth. She did not just sympathize; she acted. She founded Cala Health to challenge the status quo, deliver real relief, and give millions back control of their hands and their lives. This is not just about managing symptoms; it is about restoring function and dignity.
A Neuroscientist’s Frustration: Why Surgery for Simple Signals?
Kate Rosenbluth’s journey began not in business, but in science. At UCSF, in neuroscience and neurosurgery, she worked on gene therapy and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. She understood the intricate neural networks of the body. She knew how to deliver patterned electrical signals. But a question haunted her: “Why surgery?” Why must invasive procedures be the primary route to deliver neuromodulation therapy? There had to be a better, less invasive way.
Driven by this question, Rosenbluth sought deeper understanding. As a Biodesign fellow at Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, she observed patients, physicians, surgeons, and nurses. She saw firsthand the profound unmet need in essential tremor. Seven million Americans, she learned, struggled with hand tremors, unable to perform tasks most take for granted. Existing treatments often fell short, leaving many with limited options and diminished quality of life. This was not just a medical problem; it was a human crisis
Cala Health Born: Matching Biologic Signatures to Tremor Relief
In 2014, Rosenbluth’s vision took concrete form. She co-founded Cala Health with Scott Delp. Their mission was ambitious: treat movement disorders without surgery, without implants, by harnessing biologic signatures unique to each patient’s tremor. They secured Series A funding, backing their audacious goal to transform tremor therapy.
Cala Health did not proceed on hope alone. Rigorous clinical trials became their foundation. The ET-03 trial, a multi-center, randomized, controlled study, assessed the safety and effectiveness of Cala TAPS therapy. The results spoke clearly: Cala TAPS therapy aided in the symptomatic relief of hand tremors in essential tremor patients. This was not just a marginal improvement; it was measurable, significant relief, validated by scientific rigor.
FDA Clearance and Strategic Partnerships: Validation and Expansion
In April 2018, Cala One therapy achieved de novo clearance from the FDA. This was not just regulatory approval; it was a landmark moment, FDA validation of a novel, non-invasive tremor therapy. Strategic investors recognized the significance. GSK, Qualcomm, and Google Ventures invested in Cala Health. This was not just funding; it was a powerful endorsement from established industry leaders.
Cala Health continued to innovate, to refine its technology. In March 2019, they licensed technology from Partners Healthcare Innovation and Massachusetts General Hospital. This enhanced Cala’s non-invasive neuromodulation platform, broadening its potential to treat chronic diseases beyond tremor.
The PROSPECT study, completed in December 2019, marked another milestone. The largest non-invasive therapeutic clinical research study for essential tremor, PROSPECT gathered data from 263 patients across 26 sites over three months. The study confirmed what early trials indicated: Cala TAPS therapy, used repeatedly at home, safely and effectively reduced hand tremors and improved quality of life. This was not just short-term relief; it was sustained improvement over time, proven in real-world use.
Breakthrough Designation and Healthcare System Adoption: Recognition and Access
In October 2020, Cala Health received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Cala TAPS therapy for action tremors in Parkinson’s disease. This was not just another regulatory step; it was a recognition of Cala TAPS therapy’s potential to revolutionize treatment for Parkinson’s tremor, expediting its path to patients in need.
The healthcare system began to take notice. In April 2021, CMS established unique HCPCS codes for Cala TAPS therapy. This was not just bureaucratic coding; it was a crucial step toward insurance coverage, making Cala TAPS therapy accessible to more patients. Ascension Health Ventures, a major healthcare system, became a strategic investor. This was not just a financial investment; it was integration into the healthcare ecosystem.
The International Tremor Foundation (IETF), a leading patient advocacy group, issued essential tremor treatment guidelines in June 2021. They included Cala Trio, recommending it as a new, non-pharmacological, non-surgical therapeutic option. This was not just patient advocacy; it was expert endorsement, solidifying Cala Therapy’s place in the treatment landscape.
Cala kIQ: The Next Generation of Tremor Relief
Cala Health did not rest on past achievements. In April 2023, they introduced Cala kIQ, the next-generation device for TAPS therapy. Indicated for both essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor, Cala kIQ represented not just an incremental upgrade, but a significant advancement in tremor therapy.
Cala Health secured $50 million in funding in 2023. This was not just another funding round; it was fuel for accelerated commercialization, expanded patient access, for increased visibility among providers and patients. Vertex Growth Fund and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures co-led the round, with participation from all existing investors. This was not just investor confidence; it was a unified commitment to Cala Health’s mission.
How Cala kIQ Works: Targeted Relief, Real Results
Cala kIQ is not magic; it is science, meticulously developed and rigorously tested. It is a wrist-worn device delivering Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation (TAPS) therapy. This is not just surface-level stimulation; it is targeted neuromodulation, designed to disrupt tremor signals in the brain. Patients access therapy on demand, managing their tremors when and where they need relief. Cala kIQ provides data insights, allowing patients and physicians to track progress over time. This is not just symptom suppression; it is data-driven therapy, empowering patients with knowledge and control.
Cala kIQ is FDA-cleared. This is not just regulatory clearance; it is assurance of safety and effectiveness, validated by the highest medical standards. It is non-invasive. This is not surgery; it is a comfortable wristband, worn at home, during daily activities. It is personalized. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it is tailored therapy, designed to match each patient’s unique tremor signature. It is for essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor. This is not a limited application; it is a broad relief for millions suffering from debilitating tremors.
Kate Rosenbluth: The Visionary Leader Behind the Breakthrough
Kate Rosenbluth is not just a scientist; she is a leader. She saw a problem, not just in scientific terms, but in human terms. She built a company, not just to commercialize technology, but to deliver relief and restore hope. Forbes 40-under-40, Aspen Institute recognition, Time Magazine Best Inventions, Edison Award for Medical Breakthroughs – these accolades are not just awards; they are markers of impact and external validation of her vision and leadership.
Rosenbluth did not achieve this alone. She built a team, attracted investors, and fostered partnerships. This is not a solitary genius; it is collaborative leadership, building an ecosystem around a shared mission. She served as CEO through commercial launch, navigating the challenges of bringing a novel therapy to market. She then transitioned to Chief Scientific Officer, driving continued innovation. Now, as President and Chief Innovation Officer, she leads future development, ensuring Cala Health remains at the forefront of bioelectronic medicine. This is not just career progression; it is a sustained commitment to a singular vision: bringing breakthrough therapies to patients who desperately need them.
Kate Rosenbluth did not accept the limitations of existing tremor treatments. She challenged the status quo. She built Cala Health to deliver a better way. Cala kIQ is not just a device; it is a testament to her vision, her determination, and her leadership. Are you ready to experience relief without surgery? Are you ready to reclaim control over your hands, your tasks, and your life? Kate Rosenbluth and Cala Health offer you not just hope, but a tangible solution. The shaking can stop. The tremors can be calmed. Life can be grasped again. The future of tremor relief is here, on your wrist, thanks to the leadership of Kate Rosenbluth.
Also Read: Innovators in Neuromodulation: Transforming Mental Wellness and Sleep, 2025
