New Details Emerge on Neuralink and Kernel Efforts
Two of the most promising and enigmatic companies to enter the neurotechnology industry in recent years have been Neuralink, founded , and Kernel, founded . The tech entrepreneurs each pumped in millions of their own funds and began hiring experienced neuroscientists and engineers. While both have been tight-lipped about their future plans, recently some new details have emerged. With the exception…
Neuronetics Granted Breakthrough Status for Bipolar Depression
Neuronetics, Inc., the Malvern, PA manufacturer of neuromodulation systems to treat psychiatric disorders, announced that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Device Designation for the company’s NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System for the treatment of bipolar depression. The FDA’s Breakthrough Device Program is intended to help patients and healthcare providers receive more timely access to breakthrough…
Startups and Funders Highlight 2020 Bioelectronic Medicine Forum on Zoom
With an amended format as an online conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Bioelectronic Medicine Forum was held on April 7 with more than 100 attendees from the industry, research, and investment communities. Projected to grow to $14 billion by 2025, the field is very quickly gaining ground and building investor interest. This event highlights some of the recent developments, investment activity, and emerging companies.
This Year’s Model
Perhaps more than any other medical field, neurotechnology involves a vast array of variables and parameters that can have a profound effect on the viability of a new therapy or diagnostic test. This panorama of parameters such as target location, intensity, pulse width, and contact material creates vast opportunities for neurotech investigators and entrepreneurs to devise new products. But it also…
Neurotech Firms Seek to Devise COVID-19 Therapies
A number of neurotechnology firms and researchers have begun a spirited effort to develop potential treatments for COVID-19. While much of the biomedical research in the U.S. has been oriented toward pharmaceutical and biologics interventions and diagnostics, there are several lines of approach that involve bioelectronic medicine. One neurotech firm taking a leading role in this effort is electroCore, Inc., the Basking Ridge, NJ bioelectronic medicine company.
2020 in Review
As Neurotech Reports begins our third decade of coverage of the neurotechnology industry, we’d like to look back on 2020 to see what lessons we can apply to the post-pandemic era that awaits us on the other side. Though the year started with many positive research and commercial developments, it’s hard to downplay the impact that COVID-19 has had on our industry. In large part because many states a…
Interesting Times
The coronavirus pandemic that has paralyzed much of the world in the last several weeks has certainly taken a toll on the neurotechnology industry. As was discussed in several sessions at the 2020 Bioelectronic Medicine Forum earlier this month [see conference report, p6], venture capital investment has screeched to a halt, and some early-stage neurotech firms face an uncertain future because of disruptions in clinical trials, research activity, and supply chains.
New Brain Implants Exploit 3D Cortical Architecture
Neural engineers developing new brain implants for applications in brain-computer-interfaces, cortical stimulation, and neuroprosthetics have made continued progress at improving the function and the footprint of microelectrode arrays. Several research institutions and at least two commercial firms have literally added a new dimension to neural interfacing three-dimensional architecture of the cerebral cortex.
Cirtec Medical Acquires Intellectual Property from Nuvectra Corp.
Cirtec Medical Corp., the Brooklyn Park, MN manufacturer of neuromodulation system components and subassemblies, announced that it has acquired intellectual property and certain assets from Nuvectra Corp., the Greatbatch spinoff that recently filed for bankruptcy protection. Cirtec will leverage this technology to support customers’ development of neuromodulation products, providing an FDA-approved platform with a complete design history file to leverage for a variety of therapeutic applications.
Emerging Firms to Present at 2020 Bioelectronic Medicine Forum
Executives of several emerging bioelectronic medicine firms will present at the Third Annual Bioelectronic Medicine Forum, to take place on April 7, 2020 via Zoom video conference. The conference, produced , will also feature sessions related to investment, regulatory and reimbursement, and translational issues. Among the promising entrepreneurs tentatively scheduled to present are Ash Attia, CEO o…