Science Corporation is preparing to implant its first sensor into a human brain, enlisting a prominent neurosurgeon to lead the upcoming U.S. clinical trials.
Dr. Murat Günel, chair of Yale Medical School’s Department of Neurosurgery, has joined the startup as a scientific adviser. The move follows two years of negotiations between the company and the Yale neurosurgeon.
Günel’s primary objective is to surgically place the company's first sensor into a patient’s brain. The long-term goal for the device is to create a biohybrid interface that integrates lab-grown neurons with electronic components.
Advancing neural interfaces
Founded in 2021 by former Neuralink president Max Hodak, Science Corp. recently reached a $1.5 billion valuation. The company closed a $230 million Series C funding round last month to accelerate its research.
The startup's most advanced technology is PRIMA, a device designed to restore vision for patients suffering from macular degeneration. Science Corp. acquired the technology in 2024 and is currently moving through clinical trials, with potential regulatory approval in Europe expected as early as this year.
While PRIMA focuses on vision, Hodak's broader mission involves establishing high-bandwidth communication links between computers and the human brain. He aims to develop interfaces capable of treating neurological diseases and potentially enabling human enhancement through new sensory capabilities.
Unlike existing electronic-only sensors used by companies like Neuralink to detect activity in patients with ALS, Science Corp. is pursuing a hybrid approach. The company intends to use electrical stimulation to encourage the healing of damaged brain or spinal cord cells.
