Paradromics, a notable player in neurotechnology, has made a groundbreaking achievement: the first successful implantation of its brain-computer interface (BCI) in a human subject. This event, which occurred on 14 May at the University of Michigan, marks a pivotal shift for the company into clinical-stage research.
The innovative procedure took place while a patient was undergoing neurosurgery for epilepsy. During a short 20-minute segment of the surgery, Paradromics’ Connexus BCI system was implanted and subsequently extracted. The company asserts that this initial trial demonstrated the device’s capability to be safely integrated into human brain tissue and its ability to record neural activity.
“Experiments in sheep have shown our device excels in both data quality and durability, and we have now verified its compatibility with humans,” stated Matt Angle, founder and CEO of Paradromics, in an interview with CNBC. “This is thrilling and generates immense enthusiasm for our forthcoming clinical trial.”
The purpose of Paradromics’ BCI is to interpret neural signals and translate them into commands for various external devices. The primary target use will be to assist patients dealing with severe motor impairments in communicating through a computer.
While the device is still awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Paradromics plans to launch a formal clinical trial later this year, subject to regulatory clearance. This trial will focus on evaluating long-term safety and functionality in human participants.
The implantation was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Oren Sagher, a neurosurgery professor at the University of Michigan. The research aspect, including the insertion of the Connexus interface, was overseen by Dr. Matthew Willsey, an assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering at the university.
What sets Paradromics’ Connexus BCI apart is its ability to capture neural activity at the individual neuron level. Angle compared this to positioning microphones inside a stadium instead of outside, facilitating more accurate data gathering and intricate control.
The startup is part of an expanding landscape of BCI companies, including Neuralink by Elon Musk, Synchron supported by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, and Precision Neuroscience, all of which have also conducted human implantations recently.
To date, Paradromics has secured almost $100 million in funding, as reported by PitchBook. In February, the company also revealed a strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia’s Neom project, although specific investment details were not provided.