MIT class project turns into an FDA-cleared treatment for tremors
From Classroom Concept to Clinical Cure: The Rise of Encora Therapeutics
In 2017, a man named Michael stood before a crowded audience at MIT's Kresge Auditorium. He was tasked with a standard diagnostic exercise for Parkinson’s disease: drawing a spiral. Due to the tremors associated with his condition, the task was nearly impossible.
However, the scene shifted when Michael donned a specialized wristband developed by a group of students in 2.009 (Product Engineering Processes). Upon activating the device, a subtle vibration was emitted. The effect was instantaneous: his tremors subsided, and he drew the spiral with newfound precision.
"When this device is turned on, I feel like I used to feel when I didn’t have Parkinson’s disease," Michael told the crowd. "It’s an amazing, amazing feeling."
The demonstration was a triumph, sparking immediate requests from the audience for the device. At the time, however, the students had only one working prototype.
The Path to FDA Approval
What began as a semester project evolved into a decade-long odyssey of innovation and regulation. The team utilized a variety of MIT's entrepreneurial ecosystems to bridge the gap between a prototype and a product:
- MIT Sandbox
- MIT FUSE
- MIT Venture Mentoring Service
By 2020, the team officially incorporated as Encora Therapeutics. Their persistence culminated in February 2026, when the FDA granted clearance for the device to treat adults suffering from essential tremor—a condition characterized by involuntary shaking, similar to Parkinson's.
Clinical Efficacy
The success of the device is backed by patient data:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Trial Duration | 90 Days of home use |
| Patient Benefit Rate | |
| Primary Indication | Essential Tremor |
The Genesis: Class 2.009
The company was founded by three MIT alumni: Daniel Carballo ('18, SM '20), Allison Davanzo ('18), and Kyle Pina ('18). The project originated during their senior year in the iconic product-design course 2.009.
The course begins with an intensive brainstorming phase where students generate a massive volume of concepts. Carballo suggested a wearable that used mechanical vibrations to signal the brain and dampen tremors.
The Conceptual Logic
Carballo's idea was rooted in his studies of robotics and the . He hypothesized that an electromechanical device could interfere with the body's pathological feedback loops:
Interestingly, the idea was initially viewed as a throwaway concept. When the team voted on which project to pursue, the result was 16-1 in favor of the wristband. Carballo was the lone "no" vote.
"I tried to explain to the team that this was so far-fetched that there was no way, in one semester, we would be able to make anything," Carballo recalls. "Thankfully, I got outvoted."
Journey Timeline
Current Status and Mission
The road to commercialization was grueling. Daniel Carballo, now the Vice President of Strategy, describes the process as "long and difficult," yet deeply fulfilling.
Current Objectives:
- Develop initial prototype in
2.009 - Incorporate as Encora Therapeutics
- Complete home-use clinical trials
- Obtain FDA clearance
- Expand patient access to the treatment
The team remains driven by the human impact of their work, noting that patient testimonials serve as the primary motivation to persevere through the rigors of medical device development.
Images & Credits
- Image 1: The Encora Therapeutics device (Courtesy of Encora Therapeutics)
- Image 2: Co-founders Alli Davanzo, Daniel Carballo, and Kyle Pina (Photo by Melanie Gonick, MIT)