“Brain-hacking” wireless earbud-like technology developing startup Nesos reportedly raised $16.5 million earlier this month.
Reuters reported on Dec. 10 that the San Francisco-based startup’s CEO, Konstantinos Alataris, described its technology as designed to “hack” the brain, using electric fields to make changes through the device, which bears resemblance to a pair of wireless earbuds.
The financing round, led by Mayfield Fund, will be used toward the development of the device that Nesos hopes can train parts of the brain to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Earlier this month, Nesos unveiled early clinical data that displayed a reduction in the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and the joint pain and damage it inflicts throughout the body.
The technology could rival entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Neuralink venture’s “Link” deep brain stimulator implant, which is touted as a less invasive deep brain stimulation system.
Neuralink had previously only described its technology in broad strokes, as “ultra-high-bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers.” During a press conference last year, Musk and company officials said they planned to file for FDA approval for human trials in 2020.
In September, following FDA breakthrough device designation in July, Neuralink touted the Link system as a potential treatment for spine and brain issues, while also sharing a “wishlist” that includes autism treatment and non-linguistic communication after successful observations of the device implanted in pigs.
