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Medical technology company Lifeward Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFWD) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire key robotic orthotic technology assets, prototypes, and associated expertise from Skelable Ltd., a developer of advanced AI-enabled upper-body assistive systems. The transaction, valued at $480,000 in Lifeward equity plus a nominal cash payment upon closing, is structured with milestone-based equity installments and includes the integration of Skelable’s core engineering team into Lifeward’s development organization.
The acquired technology centers on a powered upper extremity orthotic system designed to support individuals with weakened or paralyzed arms and hands — particularly those recovering from stroke — by enhancing functional movement and facilitating activities of daily living. The device combines robotics with intelligent control and adaptive sensing to support therapeutic objectives such as improved range of motion and muscle re-education.
Lifeward anticipates that, following further development and regulatory approval, the upper-body exoskeleton could be ready for commercial launch within 18 to 24 months, with favorable unit economics and attractive gross margins.
“This upper-limb orthotic technology complements our existing ReWalk® platform and accelerates Lifeward’s evolution into a fully integrated, whole-body neuro-rehabilitation company,” said Mark Grant, Lifeward’s President and CEO. He emphasized that the device is intended not only to support immediate functional movement but also to help users rebuild independence over time.
The integration of Skelable’s engineering team — collectively bringing more than six decades of experience across electrical, software, mechanical, and industrial design — is expected to ensure the continuity of knowledge and a disciplined transfer of intellectual property into Lifeward’s development framework.
The acquisition also positions Lifeward to expand its market reach beyond lower-limb rehabilitation into upper-extremity neuro-rehabilitation, addressing a substantial and historically underserved population. In the United States alone, approximately 245,000 people are newly diagnosed with stroke each year, many of whom experience upper-limb impairment, and millions of existing stroke survivors continue to live with disability.
Lifeward anticipates that commercial synergies with its existing products — including the ReWalk exoskeleton and other rehabilitation platforms — will support broader adoption across clinical settings such as inpatient and outpatient neuro-rehabilitation centres, as well as through networks of physical medicine, neurological, and rehabilitation specialists.
The company also plans to leverage established U.S. reimbursement pathways, including relevant HCPCS coding structures and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payment frameworks applicable to advanced powered orthoses and robotic assistive technologies, to support the device’s commercial rollout.
This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for Lifeward into a new segment of assistive technology — one that holds promise for improving functional independence and quality of life for individuals with upper-limb disabilities.
