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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Paradromics implants brain-computer interface into first human patient
June 2 (UPI) -- Paradromics, a competitor of Neuralink, announced Monday it safely implanted a brain-computer interface into a human patient and recorded neural activity, before removing it 10 minutes later. The surgical procedure, performed May 14 at the University of Michigan, marks the first time Paradromics has temporarily implanted its device -- called Connexus -- into a human with the goal of restoring neural signals in patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke or ALS. Until last month, the Austin-based startup had only implanted and tested the device on sheep. "We've shown in sheep that our device is best in class from a data and longevity standpoint, and now we've also shown that it's compatible with humans," Matt Angle, Paradromics founder and chief executive officer, told CNBC. Last year, Elon Musk's Neuralink became the first to implant a brain-computer interface into a human patient. Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed in an accident in 2016, received "the Link" implant in January 2024. Since then, Arbaugh has been using it for up to eight hours a day and is able to do a variety of digital tasks. Brain-computer interface companies Precision Neuroscience and Synchron, which is backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, have also implanted their systems into humans. While brain-computer interfaces interpret neural signals associated with movement, they do not read thoughts. Connexus, which is smaller than a dime and has 420 small electrodes, is embedded directly into the surrounding brain tissue. Paradromics' BCI records brain activity at the level of individual neurons. "By having proximity to the individual neurons, you can get the highest-quality signal," said Angle. The patient, who received last month's Connexus implant, was already undergoing neurosurgery to treat epilepsy and consented to the research, allowing doctors to temporarily implant the device into their temporal lobe. "There's a very unique opportunity when someone is undergoing a major neurosurgical procedure," said Angle. "They're going to have their skull opened up, and there's going to be a piece of brain that will be imminently removed. Under these conditions, the marginal risk of testing out a brain implant is actually very low." While Paradromics' Connexus implant is still being reviewed by regulators, research institutions such as the University of Michigan are allowed to use the devices as long as they prove there is no significant risk to the patient. "You do all of these steps, you validate the hardware, you have this really high degree of rational certainty that things are going to work," Angle said, "but still emotionally when it works and when it happens the way you expected it to, it's still very, very gratifying."
UPI
4 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Paradromics implants brain-computer interface into first human patient
Paradromics, a competitor of Neuralink, announced Monday it safely implanted a brain-computer interface into a human patient last month at the University of Michigan, and recorded neural activity before removing it 10 minutes later. Photo by University of Michigan June 2 (UPI) -- Paradromics, a competitor of Neuralink, announced Monday it safely implanted a brain-computer interface into a human patient and recorded neural activity, before removing it 10 minutes later. The surgical procedure, performed May 14 at the University of Michigan, marks the first time Paradromics has temporarily implanted its device -- called Connexus -- into a human with the goal of restoring neural signals in patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke or ALS. Until last month, the Austin-based startup had only implanted and tested the device on sheep. "We've shown in sheep that our device is best in class from a data and longevity standpoint, and now we've also shown that it's compatible with humans," Matt Angle, Paradromics founder and chief executive officer, told CNBC. Last year, Elon Musk's Neuralink became the first to implant a brain-computer interface into a human patient. Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed in an accident in 2016, received "the Link" implant in January 2024. Since then, Arbaugh has been using it for up to eight hours a day and is able to do a variety of digital tasks. Brain-computer interface companies Precision Neuroscience and Synchron, which is backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, have also implanted their systems into humans. While brain-computer interfaces interpret neural signals associated with movement, they do not read thoughts. Connexus, which is smaller than a dime and has 420 small electrodes, is embedded directly into the surrounding brain tissue. Paradromics' BCI records brain activity at the level of individual neurons. "By having proximity to the individual neurons, you can get the highest-quality signal," said Angle. The patient, who received last month's Connexus implant, was already undergoing neurosurgery to treat epilepsy and consented to the research, allowing doctors to temporarily implant the device into their temporal lobe. "There's a very unique opportunity when someone is undergoing a major neurosurgical procedure," said Angle. "They're going to have their skull opened up, and there's going to be a piece of brain that will be imminently removed. Under these conditions, the marginal risk of testing out a brain implant is actually very low." While Paradromics' Connexus implant is still being reviewed by regulators, research institutions such as the University of Michigan are allowed to use the devices as long as they prove there is no significant risk to the patient. "You do all of these steps, you validate the hardware, you have this really high degree of rational certainty that things are going to work," Angle said, "but still emotionally when it works and when it happens the way you expected it to, it's still very, very gratifying."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk's Neuralink is getting more competition
A brain-computer interface (BCI), a fusion of man and machine, has sparked human imagination since the Industrial Revolution. This week, the small field of BCI developers — which includes Elon Musk's Neuralink — was joined by Texan company Paradromics, who successfully installed its Connexus BCI in a patient undergoing epilepsy resection surgery at the University of Michigan. The Connexus BCI, which is smaller than a dime, uses AI to translate brain signals at the neuron level into physical movement, including communication, for people with severe motor impairments due to ALS, strokes, or spinal cord injuries. After three years of preclinical trials in sheep, Paradromics said that this human trial 'demonstrated Connexus can be safely implanted, record electrical brain signals, and be removed intact in less than 20 minutes, using surgical techniques familiar to neurosurgeons worldwide.' It requires further approval at the clinical level before it can be commercialized. The Texan company is the primary U.S. competitor of Neuralink, which completed three BCI surgeries in 2024. 'We are now a clinical-stage company,' said Paradromics CEO Matt Angle, who co-founded the company ten years ago. He added that the company plans 'several' similar surgeries in 2025. Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned NeuCyber NeuroTech plans to implant its brain chip in 13 people by the end of the year, they announced in April. Other BCI competitors include Synchron, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, and Precision Neuroscience, founded by former Neuralink employees. Only Neuralink and Paradromics have BCIs that connect to brain tissue; Synchron's enters via a blood vessel, and Precision Neuroscience's sits on top of the brain. Proximity to individual neurons, as Paradromics' Connexus has, is considered key for high-quality, high-resolution signals that aid in speech in particular. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
CNBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Neuralink competitor Paradromics completes first human implant
Neurotech startup Paradromics on Monday announced it has implanted its brain-computer interface in a human for the first time. The procedure took place May 14 at the University of Michigan with a patient who was already undergoing neurosurgery to treat epilepsy. The company's technology was implanted and removed from the patient's brain in about 20 minutes during that surgery. Paradromics said the procedure demonstrated that its system can be safely implanted and record neural activity. It's a major milestone for the nearly 10-year-old startup, as it marks the beginning of its next chapter as a clinical-stage company. Once regulators give it the green light, Paradromics plans to kick off a clinical trial later this year that will study the long-term safety and use of its technology in humans. "We've shown in sheep that our device is best in class from a data and longevity standpoint, and now we've also shown that it's compatible with humans," Paradromics founder and CEO Matt Angle told CNBC in an interview. "That's really exciting and raises a lot of excitement for our upcoming clinical trial." A brain-computer interface, or BCI, is a system that deciphers brain signals and translates them into commands for external technologies. Paradromics' system is called the Connexus Brain-Computer Interface, and the company says it will initially help patients with severe motor impairments such as paralysis speak through a computer. Paradromics' BCI has not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and it still has a long road ahead before it reaches commercialization. But for Angle, who founded the company in 2015, the procedure in May was a success, and one that was years in the making. "You do all of these steps, you validate the hardware, you have this really high degree of rational certainty that things are going to work," he said, "but still emotionally when it works and when it happens the way you expected it to, it's still very, very gratifying." Though Paradromics' BCI has not been officially cleared for use by regulators, organizations like the University of Michigan can use new devices for research as long as they can demonstrate that there is not a significant risk to patients. Dr. Oren Sagher, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Michigan, oversaw the traditional clinical component of the procedure in May. Dr. Matthew Willsey, assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan, led the research component, including the placement of Paradromics' device. BCIs have been studied in academia for decades, and several other startups, including Elon Musk's Neuralink, are developing their own systems. "It's absolutely thrilling," Willsey said in an interview. "It's motivating, and this is the kind of thing that helps me get up in the morning and go to work." Each company's BCI is slightly different, but Paradromics is designing a BCI that can record brain activity at the level of individual neurons. Angle compared this approach to placing microphones inside vs. outside a stadium. Inside a stadium, microphones would capture more detail, such as individual conversations. Outside a stadium, microphones would only capture the roar of the crowd, he said. Other prominent BCI companies include Synchron, which is backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, and Precision Neuroscience. Both have implanted their systems in humans. Paradromics has raised nearly $100 million as of February, according to PitchBook. The company announced a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Neom in February, but declined to disclose the investment amount. "The last demonstration stuff has been shown, and we're really excited about the clinical trial that's coming up," Angle said.
Leaders
15-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
NEOM, Paradromics Join Forces to Advance Brain Implants
Saudi Arabia's NEOM has partnered with Paradromics Inc., a U.S.-based leader in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, to establish a regional Center of Excellence. This collaboration aims to develop therapies restoring mobility, speech, and cognitive functions for patients with neurological impairments, according to a report by Bloomberg. The center will drive clinical research and position NEOM as MENA's premier hub for BCI innovation. Paradromics plans U.S. human trials for its Connexus BCI system in late 2025, with parallel testing in Saudi Arabia. CEO Matt Angle emphasized readiness to expand trials globally, prioritizing patients who lost speech due to ALS, strokes, or spinal injuries. The implant decodes neural signals via AI, enabling thought-controlled digital communication. Vision 2030 Drives Health Sector Transformation This partnership aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy and elevate healthcare outcomes. NEOM's Health and Well-Being sector head, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Yamany, highlighted the initiative's potential to address paralysis and chronic pain through cutting-edge neurotech. Paradromics joins Neuralink, Synchron, and Precision Neuroscience in the competitive BCI race. Unlike Neuralink's recent human implants, Paradromics' FDA-designated Breakthrough Device focuses on medical applications before consumer use. NEOM's investment underscores its strategy to lead in disruptive technologies, fostering job creation and global investor engagement. Funding and Future Roadmap While financial terms remain undisclosed, Paradromics previously secured $33 million in funding and FDA approvals. The company's CEO Matt Angle confirmed plans to expand mental health applications, including mood disorder and addiction treatments, post-initial trials. NEOM's bold healthcare vision mirrors its Red Sea sustainability goals, integrating AI and renewable energy into its innovation ecosystem. As global interest in BCIs surges, this alliance positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of neurotech's trillion-dollar potential. Short link : Post Views: 28
