Science Corporation’s vision-restoring chip wins EU approval: latest

Science Corporation, a pioneering startup in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), has achieved a major regulatory breakthrough, securing European Union approval for its innovative PRIMA device. This implantable chip is designed to restore functional vision to individuals afflicted by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Simultaneously, the company announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted PRIMA an expedited review designation, a critical first step toward its potential use in treating two rare forms of blindness in the United States. This significant dual milestone, revealed on July 22, 2026, positions Science Corporation at the forefront of bringing advanced BCI technology to market.

Millions worldwide grapple with age-related macular degeneration, a condition that progressively destroys the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye, leading to severe impairment in daily activities like reading and recognizing faces. The PRIMA system offers a novel solution: an hour-long outpatient procedure where a small chip is implanted in the patient's retina. Once implanted, patients wear specialized glasses equipped with a camera that captures the external world and transmits this visual information directly to the chip.

Max Hodak, Science Corporation’s founder and CEO, highlighted the device’s transformative impact. "One of our patients in France finished a 300-page novel a little while ago, and sent us the book," Hodak shared with TechCrunch. He also mentioned a patient's sketch of the Sydney Opera House and videos showing individuals successfully completing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, underscoring PRIMA's ability to provide meaningful, functional vision.

Hodak, widely recognized as the co-founder and former president of Elon Musk’s Neuralink, departed the venture in 2021 to establish Science Corporation. His initial vision for the new company revolved around developing a sophisticated BCI that integrates silicon chips with living cells. However, a key part of his strategy was to first build a financially sustainable business model to support these ambitious long-term projects.

"The thing that the space needs is a company making $100 million a year of revenue," Hodak stated, emphasizing the risk of a potential "winter" for the BCI industry if companies don't establish viable revenue streams. Science Corporation's immediate focus, therefore, became addressing vision loss caused by problems with the eye's light-detecting cells. After evaluating various approaches, the company strategically acquired Pixium, a French firm that had developed the foundational PRIMA technology, in 2024. This acquisition allowed Science Corporation to leverage its internal platform to refine the product and streamline it for regulatory approval and eventual commercialization.

Looking ahead, the PRIMA device is anticipated to carry a price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Science Corporation and its medical collaborators in Europe are actively engaging with healthcare providers to finalize reimbursement agreements. Preparations are underway for PRIMA's initial launch in Germany, where the device underwent its clinical trials, with the first procedures potentially commencing as early as September.

The company is committed to continuous improvement, planning to enhance PRIMA's vision capabilities with a newer chip and refining the form factor of the accompanying glasses. Currently, the glasses necessitate an external battery pack. The long-term ambition is to evolve the design toward a sleeker profile, akin to augmented reality glasses like Meta's, despite the significant power and computational demands of the PRIMA system.

Beyond PRIMA, Science Corporation is also advancing its cutting-edge research into bio-hybrid brain sensors. The company is collaborating with Dr. Murat Günel, chair of Yale Medical School’s Department of Neurosurgery, to prepare for human trials involving a directly implanted sensor. Hodak reiterated that the commercial success of PRIMA is paramount, serving as the financial engine for these more speculative, yet potentially revolutionary, bio-hybrid endeavors. "That’s what’s really financing the rest of it — that’s the thing that investors know how to build spreadsheets around," he concluded.

FAQ

Q: What condition does Science Corporation's PRIMA device treat?

A: The PRIMA device is primarily designed to restore vision lost due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the United States, following an expedited FDA review, it may also be used to treat two rare forms of blindness.

Q: How does the PRIMA vision-restoring system work?

A: Patients undergo a surgical procedure to implant a small chip in the back of their eye. They then wear camera-equipped glasses that capture visual information and transmit it to the implanted chip, effectively providing functional vision.

Q: What are Science Corporation's broader goals beyond the PRIMA device?

A: While bringing PRIMA to market is crucial for generating revenue, Science Corporation's long-term vision includes developing advanced bio-hybrid brain-computer interfaces, which combine silicon chips with living cells. The revenue from PRIMA is intended to fund this ambitious research and development.