Science Corporation Advances 'Bio-Hybrid' Brain-Computer Interface with Neurosurgical Expert Leading Clinical Trial Preparations

IT House, April 15th, by reporter: Science Corporation, a brain-computer interface company founded by Max Hodak (former president and co-founder of Neuralink), announced that it is accelerating the development of its "bio-hybrid" brain-computer interface product. Renowned neurosurgeon Murat Günel has joined to lead the preparations for its first human clinical trial in the United States.

Unlike traditional brain-computer interfaces that rely on metal electrodes to directly stimulate or read brain signals, Science's approach attempts to combine "biology" with "electronics."That is, embedding lab-grown neurons into hardware, interacting through light stimulation and electrical signals, allowing these neurons to naturally integrate with the human brain, thereby constructing a "biohybrid" brain-computer interface product.The company believes that this method is expected to avoid the problem of brain tissue damage caused by the long-term implantation of metal electrodes.

From the current state of the industry, several institutions, including Neuralink, are already able to read brain signals through electronic sensors, allowing patients with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or spinal cord injuries to control computers or output text with their "thoughts." However, such technologies still face issues like complex regulations and a limited applicable population, with the commercialization path remaining unclear.

In contrast, Science's approach is more "moderate": its initial human trials will not directly implant a complete device containing neurons. Instead, it will first test a high-density sensor (with approximately 520 electrodes, about the size of a pea) placed on the surface of the brain (rather than deep into brain tissue). This design is also considered by the company to carry lower risks, even planning to bypass the FDA approval pathway. However, the transition of the corresponding product from the lab to clinical application still requires time. Günel stated that even if everything goes smoothly,Human trials starting in 2027 are already considered a "relatively optimistic" timeline.。

In fact, Science's most mature product currently is the visual restoration device PRIMA, mainly used for treating blinding diseases such as macular degeneration. The corresponding product was actually acquired by the company in 2024, and they plan to prioritize its launch in the European market after obtaining regulatory approval.