StairMed Secures $485M Series B Funding to Advance China's First Registered Implantable Brain-Computer Interface System
StairMed
Developer of Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Technology
Pioneer in Medical Device Media Reports
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Recently, an innovation pioneer in China's implantable brain-computer interface field ——StairMed Announces Completion of RMB 350 Million Series B Financing.This round of financing was led byQiming Venture Partners, OrbiMed, Lilly Asia Ventures, and other renowned industry investment institutions jointly led the investment round, with continued participation from angel-round investor Origin Capital.Qifeng Capital served as the financial advisor. The funds from this round will be used to accelerate product clinical trials, the development of next-generation technologies, and the construction of a medical-grade MEMS production base, providing strong support for the commercial implementation of brain-computer interface technology.
This financing represents the largest single funding round in the history of China's implantable brain-computer interface industry.Prior to this, StairMed had secured Series A financing worth several hundred million yuan and angel round financing worth tens of millions of yuan.
StairMed was founded in August 2021, focusing on the research and application of minimally invasive implantable brain-computer interface technology.Like Neuralink, the company has chosen the technically challenging and highly applicable invasive brain-computer interface technology path. It has successfully developed China's first high-throughput implantable brain-computer interface system that meets medical device standards, aiming to help paralyzed patients accomplish complex brain-controlled tasks. This is China's first invasive brain-computer interface product to complete registrational type inspection.StairMed successfully entered the list of the MIIT's 2023 Future Industry Innovation Tasks "Challenge Leader" projects with this project, being the only implantable brain-computer interface enterprise rated in Shanghai, and received support from the Shanghai 2024 "Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan" brain-computer interface project.
Currently, StairMed has collaborated with several top-tier hospitals in China.Conducted more than 50 cumulative clinical studies initiated by researchers related to brain-computer interface.(IIT), achieved significant clinical outcomes, and built the world's largest flexible electrode human single-cell dataset. StairMed plans to launch in 2025.China's First-In-Man (FIM) Prospective Clinical Trial for Long-Term Implantation of Invasive Brain-Computer Interface, and to further advance large-scale clinical trials in 2026, paving the way for product registration and market entry.
In terms of neural electrode technology, StairMed has achieved a revolutionary breakthrough: adopting an ultra-flexible electrode design with dimensions only 1/100th the size of a hair strand (1/5th the size of Neuralink's), and being hundreds of times softer than Neuralink. This makes it extremely difficult for brain tissue to "sense" the "foreign invasion" of the electrode. For the first time, StairMed developed a neural electrode interface that does not form immune scarring, ensuring long-term stable neural activity recording. By introducing semiconductor micro-nano processing techniques, the company has solved the challenge of scaling up production for medical-grade brain-computer interface electrodes.
In terms of implant design and implantation procedures, StairMed's implants are only half the size of Neuralink's. The implantation surgery requires only a 3-5 millimeter micro-hole in the skull, which can be completed using mature minimally invasive neurosurgical puncture techniques, significantly reducing surgical trauma and risks.With this innovative design, StairMed's product has become the smallest and least invasive implantable brain-computer interface system currently available.
In terms of mass production capability, to ensure product reliability, StairMed has built a 2,000-square-meter production plant that meets international GMP standards for production management and quality requirements. This includes a 300-square-meter Class 10,000 cleanroom and an independent quality inspection laboratory. The company plans toThe first medical-grade brain-computer interface MEMS production base in China to be completed in 2025.Achieve a full-chain closed loop of "R&D - Production - Quality Inspection".
Zhao Zhengtuo, founder of StairMed, stated: "In the short term, StairMed will develop a range of products based on fundamental technologies such as ultra-flexible electrodes, miniature implant designs, and minimally invasive implant procedures to address clinical needs in language function reconstruction, artificial hearing, facial paralysis repair, and spinal cord injury repair. In the long term, the company is developing a next-generation brain-computer interface system with thousands of channels, aiming to drive a revolutionary improvement in human-computer interaction efficiency. In the future, we look forward to collaborating with leading companies in large language models and embodied intelligent robotics to jointly explore innovative paths for intelligent collaboration."
"Becoming a stepping stone for human progress" is the corporate mission of StairMed. Zhao Zhengtuo emphasized,Talent is the key to achieving the vision. StairMed is now recruiting top talents in the fields of neuroscience, microelectronics engineering, artificial intelligence, and clinical medicine globally, while also opening strategic cooperation with industrial chain partners to jointly promote the application of brain-computer interface technology for human health.
As a pioneer in China's implantable brain-computer interface field, StairMed is redefining the boundaries of medicine and technology through innovation and industrial practice. With increased investment and resources, this human-machine interaction revolution for the future has already accelerated.
Message from the Investor:
Mao Shuo, Executive Director of Qiming Venture Partners, said:
"StairMed, as the first enterprise in China to complete the registrational type inspection of implantable brain-computer interface, is leading the industry with remarkable clinical progress and technological advantages. StairMed is about to initiate a prospective clinical trial and accelerate the product's market launch process. Qiming Venture Capital highly recognizes its interdisciplinary team capabilities and clinical implementation pathway. We firmly believe that StairMed will continue to break through technical barriers, promote the benefits of brain-computer interface technology for more patients, and lead the industry to new technological heights."
Dr. David Wang, Partner at Orbimed, stated:
"Since leading StairMed's Series A financing in 2022, we have witnessed the accelerated development and qualitative breakthroughs in the global brain science field. During this period, we have been fortunate to collaborate closely with StairMed, supporting the company’s advances at the forefront of international brain-computer interface exploration. The company has successfully developed its first medical product and completed clinical validation, achieving remarkable results. Orbimed's continued co-leading of StairMed’s Series B financing demonstrates our long-term confidence in both StairMed and the brain science sector. We will continue to support the company as a top-tier enterprise in the international brain-computer interface industry, accelerating the clinical translation of this technology to benefit more people."
Lilly Asia Fund stated:
"High-performance brain-computer interfaces have achieved significant breakthroughs in recent years, and invasive technologies have brought new hope to the treatment of neurological disorders. The StairMed team is globally leading in flexible electrode technology and full-stack system development for brain-computer interfaces. Their independently developed HNE ultra-flexible micro-nano electrodes have reached commercialization and have also achieved important results in clinical applications. We are very honored to collaborate with such an outstanding StairMed team and look forward to the early market launch of their clinical-grade products, benefiting more patients."
Yihan Ding, partner of Source Capital, said:
"Since the angel round of exclusive investment, Yuan has witnessed StairMed's continuous breakthroughs. We look forward to further clinical advancements!"
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