Science Corp. launches Prima vision-restoring BCI implant in Europe

Science Corporation today announced the European commercial launch of its Prima brain-computer interface (BCI) implant for vision restoration.

Prima, which holds CE mark approval, has shown in studies that it restores functional central vision to patients with geographic atrophy (GA) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. It marks the first BCI device to receive CE mark for form vision restoration (reading letters, numbers and words).

Science, led by founder Max Hodak, who also co-founded Elon Musk-backed BCI company Neuralink, said it has country-specific reimbursement applications and clinical site activations underway across Europe. It expects the first commercial Prima implant to take place in Germany soon.

Prima, a novel subretinal photovoltaic implant, pairs with specialized glasses. The glasses project near-infrared light to the implant, which converts it into electrical stimulation signals. It offers a “zoom-in” feature to give patients the ability to magnify letters. The implant features an ultra-thin profile and seamless wireless integration.

Science’s BCI system restores vision by directly activating the retina if rods and cones have been lost. The glasses have an embedded camera and infrared projector that sends light signals to the implant to provide power and data.

Prima remains investigational in the U.S. as Science works with the FDA to bring it to the market. It currently holds FDA breakthrough device designation. The company, meanwhile, can support commercial efforts with more than $490 million in capital secured to date. That includes $230 million raised in a March Series C round.

Commentary from Science leadership and doctors

Hodak, Science’s CEO and co-founder, said:

“We are proud to be the first BCI company with a CE marked device for the restoration of detailed form vision. For decades, losing central vision to this disease meant losing the ability to read, recognize faces, and ultimately losing independence. There was no viable treatment. Now there is. We intend to make access to Prima real and reimbursable, as quickly as possible.”

Dr. Frank Holz, lead author and investigator of Prima studies and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Bonn, Germany, said:

“The CE marking is an exciting moment, making PRIMA commercially available to patients. It has been demonstrated in clinical trials that with PRIMA, we can restore functional central vision in patients blinded by geographic atrophy. These patients, who had lost their central vision completely, have had it restored and can read letters, numbers, and words.”