In the fast-paced realm of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, Synchron Inc. is making waves with its pioneering brain implant technology, poised to rival the titan Elon Musk‘s Neuralink.
On the Horizon: The CEO of Synchron, Thomas Oxley, recently announced the company’s imminent plans to launch a crucial clinical trial, a pivotal step towards obtaining commercial approval for their groundbreaking brain implant technology, as reported by Reuters.
The trial aims to recruit a multitude of participants, with around 120 clinical trial centers expressing keen interest in facilitating the study. Oxley stresses the significance of initiating early discussions between patients and physicians to avert potential roadblocks.
Having already carried out authorized preliminary tests in the U.S. in July 2021, wherein devices were successfully implanted in six patients with no major adverse effects, Synchron now shifts its focus to analyzing the U.S. data in preparation for the upcoming trial, pending the green signal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The trial cohort is set to encompass individuals grappling with ALS, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
Esteemed medical centers such as Mount Sinai in New York, the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are actively engaged in the preliminary stage and are anticipated to participate in the broader trial.
Distinguished for its distinctive approach that involves inserting the device into the brain through a vein, Synchron’s brain implant has garnered support from high-profile investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, contrasting Neuralink’s method of surgical implantation into the brain cortex.
Amidst a shroud of silence surrounding Neuralink’s clinical trials, Synchron forges ahead in the competitive domain of brain-computer interface technology, which is yet to witness a company clinch final FDA approval for a BCI brain implant.
Significance of the Race: The pursuit of developing a viable BCI technology has become a focal point for tech magnates. With Musk’s Neuralink and Synchron, buoyed by Bezos and Gates, at the forefront, the stakes are high due to the intricate nature of the human brain and the potential to alleviate the plight of individuals grappling with neurological disorders.
Nonetheless, the path to FDA endorsement is fraught with obstacles. Neuralink has encountered challenges concerning animal testing and regulatory adherence, as flagged by U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer‘s reservations regarding the FDA’s oversight of the company.
Furthermore, questions around ethics and safety were raised when Neuralink assured the safety of the implant to its first human trial participant, Noland Arbaugh, despite previous fatalities among animal test subjects.
Developed by Benzinga Neuro, Edited by
Pooja Rajkumari
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