Stairmed Secures Hundreds of Millions in Series A Funding, Achieves Breakthroughs in Animal Studies and Clinical Research for Next-Gen Brain-Computer Interface

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) learned that,StairMed, a frontier technology company focusing on the R&D of the underlying technology for the new generation of brain-computer interfaces, recently announced the completion of its Series A financing round worth hundreds of millions of RMB, jointly led by OrbiMed and Yuanhe Origin Point. This round of financing will continue to be used for system R&D and team expansion, maintaining the company's leading position in the field of implantable brain-computer interfaces. StairMed previously received an angel round of financing worth tens of millions of RMB from Source Capital.

StairMed was co-founded in 2021 by several top scientists in the fields of brain-computer interfaces and neuroscience. The company also announced that the team has achieved record-breaking results in various animal experiments, with its ultra-flexible electrode technology enabling the first long-term in vivo implantation in awake macaques. Meanwhile, the company’s clinical research trials for various neurological disorders are proceeding rapidly.

As a pioneer in the new generation of implantable brain-computer interfaces, StairMed divides the realization of brain-computer interfaces into three main stages: the development of high-throughput ultra-flexible neural electrodes, full system development (implantable devices, signal acquisition and decoding, intelligent terminals, etc.), and the conduct of large animal trials and clinical research.

StairMed has innovated in materials science and processing technology to reduce electrode size to an entirely new level, creating a unique series of high-throughput ultra-flexible micro-nano electrodes. At the same time, they have developed wireless micro-implants that can be embedded under the skin. To safely and efficiently implant electrodes deep into the brain, StairMed has developed China's first flexible electrode implantation surgical robot system. The self-developed implantation surgical robot is named AUFEIS, with a series of products suitable for both research and medical applications. In German, AUFEIS means "ice on a river," and StairMed will use AUFEIS to continuously explore the depths of the iceberg of brain science.

With industry-leading ultra-flexible electrodes, miniature implants, and implantation surgical robots, StairMed continues to advance brain-computer interface research in animal experiments. Its scientific research product series has been fully validated in various animal experiments, effectively meeting the needs of related scientific research. Currently, StairMed's ultra-flexible neural electrode technology has achieved long-term implantation and stable recording in a variety of different types of animals, completing the world's highest density, largest scale, highest channel count, and longest duration stable in vivo neural signal acquisition (related experimental results have been published in Nature Biomedical Engineering (2022)). Meanwhile, StairMed has elevated system bidirectional sensitivity to the single-neuron level, achieving precise stimulation control with neuronal resolution.

StairMed is actively promoting the implementation of multiple investigator-initiated clinical trials based on mature animal experiments.

This year, StairMed launched a clinical trial on the safety and efficacy of flexible micro-nano electrodes in extracorporeal (intraoperative) EEG monitoring, marking a critical phase in the application and transformation of China's implantable brain-computer interface technology. StairMed is committed to applying cutting-edge brain-computer interface technology to treat various diseases and restore functions, providing comprehensive system solutions for patients in need of movement disorder repair and precise deep brain stimulation, and assisting clinical experts in related disease fields to better serve patients and explore new treatment methods.

StairMed"It is believed that: 'The vigorous development of an industry or ecosystem has never been achieved by a single team. In addition to the accumulation of upstream technology platforms, significant efforts from downstream application ends are also required for joint creation and co-development. Therefore, since its inception, StairMed has aimed not only to provide solutions but also to promote the development and exchange within the industry and ecosystem, thereby accelerating industrial growth through collaboration.' StairMed will continue to offer more powerful brain-computer interface tools to various research teams and clinical research institutions while consistently building the 'Open Stairs' (OPENSTAIRS) ecosystem. The 'Open Stairs' ecosystem highly integrates fundamental scientific research, product technology development, and clinical applications, providing infrastructure for a broader range of products and applications. StairMed will always maintain an open attitude, collaborating with numerous experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and various professionals in the fields of neuroscience and brain-computer interfaces to jointly create the future of the industry.'"

Dr. David Wang, Partner of OrbiMedStairMed stated: "As one of the most important strategic disciplines in the coming decades, brain science is bound to bring significant translational opportunities based on breakthroughs in fundamental science, benefiting patients with neurological-related diseases in the medical field first. Built on globally leading cutting-edge original technology, and led by a top-tier team of scientists and seasoned entrepreneurs, StairMed is rapidly pushing the boundaries of technological frontiers. We look forward to StairMed advancing swiftly in both research and clinical products, ultimately benefiting scientists and patients worldwide, serving as a stepping stone for human progress and evolution."

YuanFei Jianjiang, Managing Partner of Heyuan Point"BCI is currently an effective bridge linking the human brain with external devices. Based on multidisciplinary foundational technologies such as neurobiology, nanomaterials, microelectronics, and chip manufacturing, it has gradually broken through major key technologies like high throughput, signal decoding, scientific research, and intractable brain diseases. As a typical field that combines IT and BT, BCI has been a key focus for Oriza Seed Capital in the past two years. The team at StairMed consists of top experts in brain-computer interfaces and neuroscience, with years of theoretical research and practical accumulation in ultra-flexible electrodes, implants, and full system development. Oriza Seed Capital is delighted to join hands with an outstanding team like StairMed to contribute to human health and a better life."

Yihan Ding, Partner of Source CapitalStated: "Origin Capital focuses on original innovation and cutting-edge technology, continuously investing in and incubating startups with tremendous potential. Implantable brain-computer interfaces integrate multiple frontier technologies such as new materials, semiconductors, robotics, and brain science, and their disruptive strategic value has become a must-contend area in international science. We are thrilled to have accompanied StairMed from the angel round, through its establishment and growth. Origin Capital consistently believes in the company’s innovative breakthrough capabilities across all aspects of brain-computer interface technology and looks forward to even greater surprises from the company's products."

It is foreseeable that the development of underlying technology platforms represented by StairMed will bring new momentum to the brain-computer interface field in China. Let us look forward to more breakthroughs from StairMed. It is also hoped that, driven by high-quality companies like StairMed, China's brain-computer interface industry will flourish.

Shanghai StairMed Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as StairMed) was founded in August 2021 and is a pioneering technology innovation enterprise in the field of implantable brain-computer interfaces. StairMed is committed to the research, development, and breakthroughs in implantable brain-computer interface technologies. The company focuses on the full-stack development of related products based on its self-developed ultra-flexible micro-nano electrode technology. Its technologies and products can be applied in medical scenarios such as human function restoration, disease treatment, and performance enhancement, as well as related scientific research.

OrbiMed is dedicated to finding and supporting biopharmaceutical and life sciences companies that can promote human health. OrbiMed manages approximately $19 billion in net assets and has been focusing on global biopharmaceutical investments for over thirty years. Its investment projects cover areas such as biopharmaceuticals, life sciences, medical devices, healthcare services, and diagnostics. The investment stages range from start-ups, growth phases, maturity phases to post-IPO. OrbiMed's investment team consists of more than 100 outstanding professionals worldwide, with expertise in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, finance, and law.

Yuanhe Origin is a professional early-stage equity investment platform under Yuanhe Holdings, operating in a market-oriented manner. It focuses on investment opportunities in startups and early-growth enterprises within the technology and healthcare sectors. With 13 funds totaling approximately 5 billion RMB, it includes both VC funds and angel funds targeting specific regions. Yuanhe Origin’s investment style emphasizes early-stage involvement, prioritizes technology-driven ventures, and honors commitments, aiming to inject growth momentum into startups and grow together with entrepreneurs.

Fountainbridge Capital is a domestic new dual-currency venture capital fund that focuses on original innovation opportunities in the technology and new consumer sectors. Since its establishment in 2019, Fountainbridge Capital has adhered to the investment philosophy of creating long-term value, maintained an investment framework of in-depth industry research, and concentrated on early-stage and deep innovation. Centering on cutting-edge technology directions such as semiconductors, biotechnology, biomedicine, and innovative consumption, Fountainbridge Capital has continuously invested in dozens of innovative companies, with 90% being their first-round institutional investors. Fountainbridge Capital provides comprehensive support to its portfolio companies, including professional talent, key resources, and development strategies, continuously building a technology industry ecosystem and has already accompanied several companies to become industry leaders.