Elon Musk’s Neuralink competitor Paradromics implants chip in human for first time

In a groundbreaking achievement, neurotechnology startup Paradromics has successfully implanted its brain-computer interface (BCI) into a human subject for the very first time. This pivotal event occurred on May 14 at the University of Michigan, marking a significant step forward in the company's transition to clinical-stage development. The procedure was conducted on a patient who was already undergoing neurosurgery for epilepsy. During a brief 20-minute window within the operation, the Connexus BCI system was implanted and subsequently removed. Paradromics reported that this initial test demonstrated the device's safe insertion into human brain tissue and its ability to record neural activity. "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," remarked Matt Angle, founder and CEO of Paradromics, in a conversation with CNBC. "That’s really exciting and raises a lot of excitement for our upcoming clinical trial." Designed to interpret neural signals and translate them into commands for external devices, the BCI's primary application aims to assist patients with severe motor impairments in communicating through computers. Although the device is awaiting clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Paradromics intends to launch a formal clinical trial later this year, contingent upon receiving regulatory approval. The surgical procedure was overseen by Dr. Oren Sagher, a neurosurgery professor at the University of Michigan, with the research aspect led by Dr. Matthew Willsey, an assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering. The Connexus BCI distinguishes itself by capturing brain activity at the level of individual neurons, akin to placing microphones inside a stadium for clearer acoustics, a design aimed at delivering more accurate data and refined control. Paradromics joins an expanding roster of BCI innovators, including Elon Musk's Neuralink, Synchron (supported by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates), and Precision Neuroscience, all of which have made strides in human implantations in recent years. To date, Paradromics has raised nearly $100 million, according to PitchBook. In February, the company also announced a strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia’s Neom project, although the specifics of the investment remain undisclosed.