The Salk Institute announced a $41.3 million ARPA-H award to advance sonogenetics toward human clinical trials, starting with peripheral neuropathies. The grant will fund development of ultrasound delivery systems and core biological tools, along with preclinical evidence required for first-in-human testing. Salk’s Sreekanth Chalasani, PhD, is principal investigator and co-founder of SonoNeu, which is positioned to commercialize the technology. Sonogenetics uses low-intensity ultrasound to control engineered, ultrasound-sensitive proteins in targeted cells. The program is described as a “drug-free” way to deliver therapy at precise locations and times, using wearable ultrasound technology instead of systemic administration. Over five years, the partnership is expected to generate preclinical datasets to support clinical trial entry. For investors and the therapeutic community, the ARPA-H funding underscores federal interest in noninvasive modalities that could expand therapeutic reach while potentially reducing systemic exposure.