Science Corporation's PRIMA vision-restoring chip receives EU approval

EU Approval for Vision Restoration Device

Science Corporation, a startup specializing in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), secured approval from Europe's medical device regulator. This approval permits the company to begin selling its PRIMA device, which is designed to restore vision for individuals affected by age-related macular degeneration.

Device Functionality and Target Condition

The PRIMA device addresses vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration, a condition that damages light-sensitive cells in the eye, impairing reading and facial recognition. Patients undergo an outpatient procedure to implant a small chip at the back of the eye. They then wear camera-equipped glasses that transmit visual information to this chip, providing functional vision.

The company's CEO, Max Hodak, noted patient successes, including one who completed a 300-page novel and others who engage in activities like crossword puzzles and drawing.

US Regulatory Path and Commercialization

In addition to EU approval, the PRIMA device received a designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This designation is the initial step towards an expedited regulatory review, potentially leading to the device's use for two rare forms of blindness in the United States.

Each PRIMA device is expected to cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Science Corporation's Strategy

Max Hodak, co-founder and former president of Neuralink, founded Science Corporation with the goal of developing novel BCIs. The company acquired Pixium, the French firm that developed the PRIMA technology, in 2024. Science Corporation aims to build a sustainable business by restoring vision, which supports the development of longer-term BCI technologies.