Elon Musk has approached brain implant developer Synchron Inc about a potential investment as his own company Neuralink catches up in the race to directly connect human brains to machines, according to four people familiar with the matter. this. Musk has been in contact with Synchron’s founder and chief executive officer, Thomas Oxley, in recent weeks to discuss a potential deal, sources said. It is unclear whether any transactions will involve a tie-up or partnership between Synchron and Neuralink.
Synchron, based in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, goes ahead Neuralink Sources say it is in the process of gaining regulatory control over its devices. The sources added that they have not yet decided whether they will accept the investment and no deal is certain.
The sources requested anonymity because the matter was confidential.
Represent Musk and Neuralink did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Synchron declined to comment.
This approach comes after Musk, who is also the chief executive officer of the electric car maker Tesla and rocket developer SpaceX, expressed frustration with Neuralink employees about their slow progress, four current and former employees said. That frustration wasn’t conveyed to Oxley when Musk contacted him, two sources added.
It’s unclear where Neuralink stands on an application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin human trials. An FDA spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Musk said in a 2019 public presentation that Neuralink, which he launched in 2016, is aiming to receive regulatory approval by the end of 2020. He later said at a news conference. at a Wall Street Journal conference in late 2021 that he hopes to begin human trials this year.
Founded in 2016, Synchron has developed a brain implant that doesn’t need to be cut into the skull to fit it, unlike Neuralink’s product. Its goal is to help paralyzed patients operate digital devices with only their minds.
Synchron passed a major milestone last month by implanting its device in a patient in the United States for the first time. It was approved by the FDA for human trials in 2021 and has completed studies in four people in Australia.
Synchron has about 60 employees and has raised about $65 million to date from investors, according to market research firm Pitchbook.
Neuralink is larger, with 300 employees split between San Francisco and Austin, Texas. According to Pitchbook, it has raised $363 million from investors to date.
Only two of Neuralink’s eight founders remain with the company – Musk and implant engineer Dongjin “DJ” Seo, who take a leadership role. Max Hodak, who stepped down as chairman of Neuralink last year, is now an investor in Synchron.
Musk has approached Neuralink’s competitors in the past. In 2020, he held discussions with brain technology company Paradromics Inc, according to three people familiar with the matter. Musk later abandoned those talks, two of these sources added.
© Thomson Reuters 2022
