Science Corporation Embarks on Pioneering Human Trials for Biohybrid Brain-Computer Interface
Science Corporation, a startup founded by former Neuralink president Max Hodak, is set to lead the first human trials in the U.S. for its innovative biohybrid brain-computer interface. This ambitious project has enlisted the expertise of Dr. Murat Günel, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale Medical School, as a scientific adviser. Following two years of discussions, Günel aims to perform surgery to implant a sensory device that will integrate lab-grown neurons with electronic components into a patient’s brain.
Founded in 2021, Science Corporation recently secured $230 million through a Series C funding round, boosting its valuation to $1.5 billion. One of its leading products, PRIMA, aims to restore vision for individuals suffering from blindness due to macular degeneration, with plans for broader European availability pending regulatory approval.
Hodak’s vision transcends mere treatment of ailments; he envisions creating communication pathways between the brain and technology, which could eventually enhance human abilities by adding new senses. His journey in the realm of biotech spans graduate studies in neuroscience to instrumental roles in companies like Neuralink, which attempts to use electronic devices to interpret brain activity in patients with conditions such as ALS and spinal injuries. Despite advancements, the pathway to a commercial market for such devices faces significant regulatory hurdles amid a limited patient pool.
Hodak advocates for a shift from conventional methods, which rely on metal probes that risk damaging brain tissue. Günel studies these procedures, acknowledging their potential but identifying the accompanying risks that could impair long-term device performance. Instead, he endorses a more organic method, advocating for designs that leverage natural neuronal connections for seamless integration between biological and electronic systems.
Science’s chief science officer, Alan Mardinly, leads a team of 30 researchers in developing a sensor embedded with lab-grown neurons that can be stimulated by light and integrated into the patient’s neural pathways. Preliminary studies have successfully shown safe implantation in mice, prompting the team to prepare for human trials by developing prototypes that conform to medical standards for growing neurons.
As preparations for the trials intensify, Günel is consulting with medical ethics boards focused on human experimentation. The initial testing phase will involve evaluating the sensor in live human brains without embedded neurons. Unlike Neuralink’s approach which requires direct penetration into the brain, Science’s sensor will rest above the cortex, significantly altering its risk profile. The company has opted not to pursue FDA approval for these trials, asserting minimal risk associated with the small device, which features 520 electrodes in a compact size.
The team aims to identify candidates for whom significant brain surgery is already planned, such as stroke patients, allowing for the sensor’s evaluation during their procedures. If successful, the device could provide solutions for various neurological conditions by delivering gentle stimulation to damaged cells, monitoring brain activity, and potentially preventing severe episodes like seizures.
While expressing optimism about the long-term benefits, Günel acknowledges the extensive work ahead, suggesting that human trials could realistically commence around 2027. Ultimately, he sees a biohybrid approach as a transformative advance in treating chronic neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, potentially moving towards halting their progression by reinstating healthy cellular circuits.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
Watch more about AI – Artificial Intelligence
