Precision Neuroscience, Leading Neuralink Competitor, Secures Brain Implants Manufacturing Facility

Precision Neuroscience, a neurotech startup, has made a significant development with its acquisition of a factory in Dallas. This factory will enable the company to build the key component of its brain implant, known as the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. By having its own manufacturing facility, Precision Neuroscience can accelerate its development process and move closer to obtaining regulatory approval by 2024.

The brain implant developed by Precision Neuroscience aims to assist individuals with paralysis in operating digital devices using their brain signals. The company believes that the newly acquired manufacturing plant is the only facility capable of producing its sophisticated electrode array.

In an interview with CNBC, Precision Neuroscience’s co-founder and CEO, Michael Mager, emphasized the advantages of having their own manufacturing facility. He highlighted how it allows the company to iterate quickly, improve performance, and explore different form factors of the device.

Precision Neuroscience’s electrode array is incredibly thin and flexible, with dimensions similar to a piece of Scotch tape. This design allows the array to rest on the brain’s surface without causing any tissue damage while providing real-time, high-resolution rendering of neural activity.

Precision Neuroscience operates within the fast-growing brain-computer interface (BCI) industry alongside companies like Synchron, Paradromics, Blackrock Neurotech, and Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk. Dr. Benjamin Rapoport, Precision Neuroscience’s co-founder and chief science officer, was also involved in the establishment of Neuralink.

While Neuralink takes a more invasive approach with its brain implant technology and manufactures devices in-house, Precision Neuroscience believes that maintaining full control over production helps ensure quality and safeguard trade secrets.

Mager stressed the responsibility involved in manufacturing devices that interface with human brains and mentioned the difficulties associated with working with third parties during the manufacturing process.

The acquisition of the manufacturing facility was completed without disclosing the cost, as requested by the seller, a Japanese multinational corporation. By retaining the experienced personnel already working at the facility, Precision Neuroscience was able to avoid the need for additional training.

Since May, Precision Neuroscience has been operating at the new facility and has significantly increased its supply levels. Previously, the company struggled with long manufacturing times, but now it can produce over 100 arrays per week. These arrays will support the company’s regulatory testing efforts and upcoming human trials at the University of Pennsylvania and the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.

With the Breakthrough Device designation recently granted by the FDA, Precision Neuroscience has established a more direct line of communication with the agency, facilitating the path towards commercialization. Mager expressed confidence in the company’s momentum, noting the combination of the manufacturing facility, the Breakthrough Device designation, and ongoing in-patient trials.

Precision Neuroscience’s continuing progress has created a particularly exciting atmosphere for the company.