Neuralink Secures $43 Million in Funding and Advances Human Trials Amid Animal Testing Controversy

Dec 01, 2023 18:32 CST Updated 18:32

Neuralink

Brain-Computer Interface System Developer

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s Brain-Computer Interface Company, Makes New ProgressAccording to a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company, has secured an additional $43 million in venture capital funding. In May this year, Neuralink received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct human clinical trials. In September, Neuralink announced that it had performed its first human brain-computer interface experiment. Reports indicate that thousands of people are currently waiting in line to receive Neuralink’s brain implant device. Furthermore, the clinical trial program continues to recruit participants, and the company has released its first promotional video.

Additionally, Musk recently stated that the brain-computer interface company Neuralink is like a "monkey paradise," and that Neuralink has never caused the death of any test monkeys. The company used terminally ill monkeys for early implants; these monkeys died from their diseases, not from the brain-computer interfaces.

The controversial entrepreneur stated that USDA inspectors, following their inspection, remarked that they had “never seen better animal care facilities.” As reported by Business Insider, Musk said, “We treat animals the best.”

In China, the 2nd Global Digital Trade Expo was held in Hangzhou from the 23rd to the 27th. At this expo, companies specializing in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, such as BrainCo Technology Co., Ltd., attracted significant attention. Additionally, recent investor relations activity records from Innovation Medical indicate that Boling Brain-Computer Interface has now entered the research and development phase for engineering prototypes. Building on earlier principle prototype testing conducted through hospitals affiliated with Innovation Medical, since the second half of 2023, Boling Brain-Computer Interface has also initiated informal principle prototype testing at several public Grade-A tertiary hospitals in Hangzhou, inviting some volunteers for home-based testing. To date, 15 additional tests have been completed (including two home visits); a total of 13 patent applications have been filed, with six already granted.

As a cutting-edge interdisciplinary technology, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have attracted widespread global attention. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan has listed brain science and brain-inspired research as national strategic scientific and technological strengths, vigorously promoting breakthroughs in BCI technology. In October 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Medical Products Administration announced the shortlisted entities for the AI Medical Device Innovation Task Force, with multiple BCI projects selected. This marks the beginning of the transition of BCI-related medical device products in China from the “laboratory” to “practical application.” McKinsey predicts that over the next 10 to 20 years, the global BCI industry will generate an economic scale of $70–200 billion.

Source: Compiled by MedTech Innovation Network from sources including JRJ.com

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