Science Corp Raises $230M Series C to Advance PRIMA Brain-Computer Interface for Vision Restoration
核心洞察
Science Corp, founded by former Neuralink (搜索) co-founder Max Hodak, secured $230 million in Series C funding at a $1.5 billion post-money valuation to commercialize its vision-restoring brain implant technology.
The company's PRIMA (搜索) device, smaller than a grain of rice and implanted in the eye, demonstrated meaningful visual improvement in 80% of 47 patients across European and U.S. trials, enabling them to read letters, numbers, and words.
Science Corp expects CE mark approval in mid-2026 for European launch, potentially making it the first brain-computer interface company to bring a commercial product to market.
Science Corporation (搜索), the brain-computer interface startup founded by former Neuralink (搜索) co-founder Max Hodak, announced Wednesday that it has raised $230 million in Series C funding, achieving a post-money valuation of $1.5 billion. The substantial funding round positions the company to potentially become the first brain-computer interface company to bring a commercial product to market.
PRIMA Device Shows Promising Clinical Results
The company's lead product, PRIMA (搜索), represents a significant advancement in vision restoration technology. The device, described as smaller than a grain of rice, is implanted in the eye and works in conjunction with camera-equipped glasses to restore functional vision to patients with advanced macular degeneration (搜索).
In clinical trials spanning 47 patients across Europe and the United States, 80% of participants demonstrated meaningful improvement in visual acuity and gained the ability to read letters, numbers, and words. According to Hodak, "To my knowledge, this is the first time that restoration of the ability to fluently read has ever been definitively shown in blind patients."
Regulatory Pathway and Market Entry Strategy
Science Corp has submitted a CE mark application to the European Union and expects approval by mid-2026, which would enable the company's European market launch. The company identifies Germany as its likely first market due to the country's established pathways for granting early access to new medical technologies.
In the United States, regulatory discussions with the FDA are ongoing, though specific timelines have not been disclosed. The company claims that successful European approval would make it the first brain-computer interface company with a commercial product in the market.
Expanding Clinical Applications
Beyond macular degeneration (搜索), Science Corp is expanding its PRIMA (搜索) trial program to include Stargardt disease (搜索) and retinitis pigmentosa (搜索), both inherited retinal conditions that represent leading causes of vision loss in young adults. This expansion broadens the potential patient population and market opportunity for the technology.
Technology Development and Acquisition
Science Corp acquired PRIMA (搜索)'s assets in 2024 from French company Pixium Vision (搜索), subsequently refining the technology and completing trials that Pixium had initiated. The clinical results generated since the acquisition demonstrate the company's ability to advance and optimize existing brain-computer interface technologies.
Broader Research Portfolio
The new capital will fund not only PRIMA (搜索)'s commercialization but also support Science Corp's expanded research initiatives. The company is developing a biohybrid neural interface program that involves growing engineered neurons from stem cells onto a specialized device that sits on the brain's surface and forms biological connections with existing neural circuits.
Additionally, Science Corp has launched Vessel, a new business line focused on organ preservation technology. This platform aims to develop miniaturized perfusion technology enabling organ transport on commercial flights and maintenance by patients at home, rather than requiring ICU facilities.
Investment and Company Growth
The Series C round included participation from both new and existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners (搜索), Khosla Ventures (搜索), Y Combinator (搜索), and Quiet Capital. Notably, IQT, the nonprofit investment firm focused on solutions for government organizations including the FBI and CIA, also participated in the funding round.
The latest funding brings Science Corp's total raised capital to $490 million. The company currently employs 150 people and continues to expand its operations as it approaches potential market entry.