Science Corporation, founded by Max Hodak, the former president of Neuralink, has taken a significant step forward in brain-computer interface technology by enlisting Dr. Murat Günel, a leading neurobiologist and chair of Yale Medical School’s Department of Neurosurgery, to oversee its inaugural human trials in the US. After two years of negotiations, Günel aims to implant the initial sensor of an innovative biohybrid device that merges lab-grown neurons with electronics into a patient’s brain.
Founded in 2021, Science Corporation recently concluded a Series C funding round, raising $230 million and elevating its valuation to $1.5 billion. The company’s flagship product, PRIMA, is designed to restore vision for individuals suffering from vision loss due to macular degeneration. With advances made in clinical trials, the technology is expected to launch in Europe pending regulatory approval, potentially within the year.
Hodak’s overarching vision extends beyond medical applications; he aims to establish reliable communication pathways between computers and the human brain, exploring opportunities for both therapeutic solutions and human augmentation. His journey in the biotech field began with a passion for neuroscience, evolving through ventures like Neuralink, where electronic sensors were successfully used to detect brain activity in patients with severe conditions, allowing them to control computers through thought.
However, Hodak criticises the traditional use of metal probes in brain interfacing, citing the resultant damage to brain tissue that could compromise device efficacy. Instead, Science Corporation is pursuing a more organic integration by utilising neurons to form a biological interface with electronics, a concept hailed by Günel as “genius.”
Led by Alan Mardinly, the company has made substantial progress on its biohybrid sensor, which features lab-grown neurons that respond to light pulses and are designed for synergy with the patient’s existing neuron pathways. Early research indicated successful implantation in mice, setting the stage for human trials where the first tests will involve a sensor without embedded neurons.
The planned procedure will involve placing the sensor above the brain during operations for unrelated conditions, such as strokes, where part of the skull is removed. Science believes this approach mitigates risk, differentiating its device from Neuralink’s, which penetrates brain tissue directly. Consequently, the company will not seek FDA approval for its trials.
Potential applications of the technology could include gentle electrical stimulation for healing damaged neural tissue or monitoring neurological activities, thus providing early warnings for seizures in at-risk patients. Additionally, there is hope that this groundbreaking interface could lead to novel treatments for progressive conditions like Parkinson’s disease, where current therapeutic options have proven insufficient.
While Günel optimistically anticipates the potential for trials to commence by 2027, he acknowledges the challenges ahead, putting into perspective the extensive work that remains to fully realise the promise of this biohybrid system and its capacity to transform neurological treatment.
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