Multifunctional Implant Performs Variety of Functions

by Sharena Rice, contributing editor

August 2024 issue

Neurotech researchers and commercial firms have developed a number of novel implants that have achieved commercial and clinical success as either a neurostimulation or neurosensing system. And while there are several examples of closed-loop systems, such as NeuroPace’s RNS device, that can perform both sensing and stimulation, that is generally the limit of multifunctionality.

A spinoff from MIT called NeuroBionics has recently developed a much more complex implanted device that adds several new layers of functionality, including drug delivery, gene therapy, and optogenetics. The device features flexible fibers that are as thin as a hair. Yet they encompass many capabilities.

NeuroBionics was co-founded by Marc-Joseph Antonini as CEO and Nicolette Driscoll as CTO, with Polina Anikeeva as scientific advisor.

For the past eight years, Antonini, with a strong background in biomedical engineering and neural device development, has been at the forefront of advancing NeuroBionics’ technology. Driscoll, an expert in neural interfacing and carbon nanomaterials, combined their complementary expertise to start the company.

NeuroBionics’ next-generation neural interfacing technologies enable reading neural activity, delivering targeted stimulation to specific brain regions, and can be used to deliver drugs or gene therapies, for optogenetics, and also in fiber photometry. This array of characteristics offers therapeutic potential for a range of neurological conditions.

The implant leverages advanced biocompatible materials, ensuring long-term stability and functionality. This breakthrough addresses a significant challenge in the neurotech field—ensuring that neural implants remain functional over extended periods without causing adverse effects. The technology has broad potential applications, from treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to restoring motor function in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

NeuroBionics recognizes that in the near term, they can meet a need for better tools for neuroscience research: their first device for research use enables more experiments with fewer animals. Their longer-term plans are to build neural interfaces for clinical applications.

According to Antonini, “We plan to create a family of products with more features—a true platform technology with multiple sensors available for use across the body.”

The Need in Neurotech

The field of neurotechnology is rapidly evolving, and it faces critical challenges that NeuroBionics is uniquely positioned to address. Traditional neural implants often suffer from issues related to durability, precision, patient comfort, and limits to which techniques the implants can be used for. NeuroBionics’ technology stands out by offering a reliable and precise interface between the brain and external devices with optical, electrical, and chemical capabilities all in one device, which may expedite invasive neuromodulation method development. They have carefully considered strategies for which materials to use in their device and how to place their fibers into blood vessels and have them remain safely anchored in the blood vessels like stents.

As the demand for more advanced neurotechnologies grows, there is an increasing need for solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and accessible. NeuroBionics aims to meet this demand by providing technologies with cutting-edge capabilities while remaining minimally invasive for practical widespread clinical use.

Funding and Support

In a vote of confidence, NeuroBionics is about to close their pre-seed round. This funding round will enable the company to accelerate the development of their technologies and expand its team.

Adding to its momentum, NeuroBionics was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase I grant by the National Science Foundation. This grant will provide the company with the resources needed to further refine its neural implant technology.

“For the SBIR, we are planning to commercialize our device as a research tool,” Driscoll noted. “It’s focused on connectorization: connecting with different devices.” The SBIR grant is a testament to the potential of NeuroBionics’ technology and commercial potential.

NeuroBionics, under the leadership of Antonini and Driscoll, has reached a level of technological maturity to grow and connect their company. These go beyond technical connections with more devices: they are also proactively building business connections with hospitals, physicians, and champions on both coasts, especially those with strong knowledge of endovascular procedures.

With their early team, pre-seed funding, and the backing of an SBIR grant, the company is well-positioned to advance their neural interfacing innovations to more research laboratories and eventually, to clinical settings.