Science Corporation Successfully Implants Vision-Restoring Chip in Stargardt Patient

Science Corporation, led by CEO Max Hodak, has successfully implanted its vision-restoring chip, known as PRIMA, into a patient suffering from Stargardt disease. This inherited condition progressively deteriorates central vision and has no current cure. The announcement was made during the TechCrunch Disrupt event, where Hodgak, previously associated with Neuralink, illustrated how the PRIMA implant aligns with the company’s vision of advancing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).

“The retina is part of the central nervous system,” Hodak stated. He indicated that various devices, including cochlear implants and retinal prostheses, represent different forms of BCIs, suggesting a future where such technology addresses a broader spectrum of medical challenges.

Currently, the PRIMA chip is available in Europe for patients who have lost vision due to geographic atrophy, a severe form of age-related macular degeneration. Science Corporation aims to expand its application to conditions like Stargardt disease.

Stargardt disease leads to the gradual death of light-sensing cells in the outer retina while potentially preserving the inner retina, which transmits visual signals to the brain. This condition results in a progressively enlarging central blind spot, impacting approximately 150,000 individuals globally.

Hodak elaborated, “Vision is electrical potential, like electrical activity down the optic nerve.” He emphasized that by effectively stimulating the optic nerve, the implant can restore sight.

The first Stargardt disease patient underwent the PRIMA implant procedure in May at the Sydney Eye Hospital in Australia. Early rehabilitation sessions yielded promising results; the patient was able to identify letters and read a word after the implant.

To utilize the technology, patients undergo a one-hour procedure where a small chip is implanted at the back of the eye where photoreceptors have degraded. Patients then wear glasses equipped with a camera that feeds visual data to the chip, effectively acting as artificial photoreceptors.

Hodak described the implant as a two-millimeter square device located at the back of the eye, offering a limited but sharp and high-contrast view of the environment. “The next step is to expand the field of view,” he noted, adding that smaller electrodes and a larger implant design are essential for greater visual acuity.

Founded in 2021 after his departure from Neuralink, Hodak’s Science Corporation aims to pioneer advanced neural engineering and BCI technology. The immediate goal is to validate their methods and establish a sustainable business through vision restoration efforts.

Looking ahead, Science Corporation is exploring its BCI technology, which differs from Neuralink’s approach by resting on the surface of the brain rather than being implanted within it. This technology could help monitor various neurological conditions such as brain tumors.

In comments about future developments, Hodak mentioned clinical applications targeting a well-known neurodegenerative disease and potential strategies for stroke rehabilitation. He remarked, “The long-term mission of the company is to understand how the brain creates the mind and to learn to build engineered brains.”

Hodak believes that soon, many will find themselves needing some form of BCI by the time they reach their 60s or 70s, emphasizing the importance of extending not just lifespan but also healthspan.