Companies developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies certainly stepped up their activities this year with several starting to implant their devices into humans. After decades as an experimental technology pursued exclusively in research settings, BCI devices could be just a few years away from entering clinical practice – and investors are paying attention.
Precision Neuroscience Corp. recently raised $102 million in a series C funding round for its AI-powered brain–computer interface (BCI) technology, the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. The funding comes as interest in the technology heats up as clinical trials show that BCI devices are capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities.
Borvo Medical Inc., a neurointerventional med-tech startup, reported U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance of its Endoport Vacuum Assisted Collection (EVAC) system, an alternative to traditional subdural hematoma (SDH) drainage methods. The EVAC system is expected to be available in early 2025 the company said.
In an effort to shore up its position in a rapidly developing market for brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, Onward Medical NV signed an exclusive license with France’s CEA-Clinatec to use its BCI chip as part the Arc-BCI system, which restores direct communication from the brain to the spinal cord.
Onward Medical NV successfully implanted its Arc-BCI system, which restores direct communication from the brain to the spinal cord enabling lower limb mobility, into a third patient.
Neurotech startup Synchron Inc. connected its brain implant to Apple’s Vision Pro headset, enabling patients with limited physical mobility to control the device using only their thoughts. Synchron is building an endovascular brain-computer interface designed to help patients with paralysis operate technology like smartphones and computers with their minds.
Synchron Inc. has acquired an equity stake in German manufacturer Acquandas GmbH in a move that will strengthen the company’s innovation and supply chain for its brain-computer interface system, Synchron founder and CEO Tom Oxley said.
Medical technology company Synchron Inc. completed an AU$110 million (US$73.9 million) series C round that will allow the company to conduct a feasibility study and pivotal trial of its implantable brain computer interface that can interpret and stimulate parts of the brain.
Synchron Inc. closed out 2021 by providing an opening for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to send the first thought transferred to a tweet via an implantable brain computer interface. Philip O’Keefe, who received one of the company’s Stentrode implants in April 2020, took over the Twitter account of Sychron CEO Thomas Oxley to say, “Hello, World. Short tweet. Monumental progress.”
The FDA’s device center has a mantra of sorts when it comes to the details, or lack thereof, in guidance, which is “talk to us early and often.” For device makers eyeing the brain-computer interface (BCI) device space, this mantra has been applied to the question of pivotal study enrollment numbers, suggesting that some sponsors will find their pivotal studies come with a case of sticker shock sufficient to force them to rethink their research and developmental plans.
