CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: ACCELERATING BREAKTHROUGH SPINAL CORD INJURY INNOVATION
More than 300,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injury (SCI), yet there are no FDA-approved drug therapies that restore function after injury. At a pivotal moment in SCI treatment, this Congressional Briefing will bring together leaders in regulation, medicine, public policy, and the SCI community to discuss emerging therapies, regulatory pathways, and opportunities to accelerate therapies for people living with SCI
Thursday, September 17, 2026
12:30 PM ET
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G11Washington, DC
SPEAKERS
Dr. Janet Woodcock
Former Acting Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Former Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
One of the most influential figures in modern drug development and regulation, Dr. Woodcock led CDER for more than two decades before serving as Acting FDA Commissioner and later Principal Deputy Commissioner. Her distinguished career helped shape the regulatory framework that guides the development and review of innovative therapies in the United States.
Dr. Geoffrey T. Manley
Chief of Neurosurgery, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
Professor and Vice Chairman of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco
An internationally recognized expert in neurotrauma, Dr. Manley has dedicated his career to advancing the understanding and treatment of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. He leads national and international clinical research efforts focused on improving outcomes for individuals affected by neurological trauma.
Dr. David McMillan
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Director of Education & Outreach, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Dr. McMillian will provide an overview of the growing pipeline of cure, seeking therapies for spinal cord injury and discuss the promise and challenges of combinatorial approaches.
Gavin Proffitt
Former Health Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Ron Johnson
Current Director of Federal Government Affairs, Major Pharmaceutical Company
The briefing will be moderated by Gavin Proffitt, who brings a unique perspective shaped by both personal experience and health policy leadership. As someone with a loved one living with spinal cord injury and a former health policy advisor in the U.S. Senate, Gavin understands the real-world impact of policy decisions on individuals and families. He will facilitate a discussion featuring SCI clinical trial participants, individuals living with SCI, and scientific leaders, while highlighting the important role congressional staff and policymakers can play in advancing awareness, research, and access to emerging therapies.
Clinical Trial Participant Panel
Voices from the NervGen Clinical Trial
People living with spinal cord injury who participated in the NervGen clinical trial will share their experiences, perspectives, and hopes for the future of SCI treatment.
This discussion will highlight the real-world impact of clinical research and underscore the importance of incorporating the patient voice into conversations about drug development, regulatory review, and access to emerging therapies.
Attend the Briefing
Congressional staff, policymakers, healthcare leaders, researchers, and regulatory stakeholders are invited to join this important discussion on the future of spinal cord injury treatment.
For More Information or to RSVP