First Human Procedure Performed at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester, UK
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics Announces World鈥檚 First Human Graphene-Based Brain Computer Interface Procedure
, a brain-computer interface therapeutics (BCI-Tx) company pioneering graphene-based neural technologies, announced today the world鈥檚 first human procedure of its corticaI interface in a patient undergoing brain tumor resection. INBRAIN鈥檚 BCI technology was able to differentiate between healthy and cancerous brain tissue with micrometer-scale precision.
This milestone represents a significant advancement in demonstrating the ability of graphene-based BCI technology beyond decoding and translating brain signals, to become a reliable tool for use in precision surgery in diseases such as cancer, and in neurotechnology more broadly. The study was sponsored by the University of Manchester, and primarily funded by the European Commission鈥檚 project.
The clinical investigation study was conducted at Salford Royal Hospital, part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, UK. The study was led by Chief Clinical Investigator Dr. David Coope, a neurosurgeon at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neuroscience and Brain Tumours Theme Lead at the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, and Chief Scientific Investigator Kostas Kostarelos, Ph.D., Professor of Nanomedicine at The University of Manchester, the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, and Co-Founder of INBRAIN.
鈥淭he world鈥檚 first human application of a graphene-based BCI highlights the transformative impact of graphene-based neural technologies in medicine. This clinical milestone opens a new era for BCI technology, paving the way for advancements in both neural decoding and its application as a therapeutic intervention,鈥� said Carolina Aguilar, CEO and Co-Founder of INBRAIN Neuroelectronics.
INBRAIN鈥檚 BCI platform leverages the exceptional properties of graphene, a material made of a single layer of carbon atoms. Despite being the thinnest known material to science, graphene is stronger than steel and possesses a unique combination of electronic and mechanical properties that make it ideal for neurotechnology innovation.
鈥淲e are capturing brain activity in areas where traditional metals and materials struggle with signal fidelity. Graphene provides ultra-high density for sensing and stimulating, which is critical to conduct high precision resections while preserving the patient鈥檚 functional capacities, such as movement, language or cognition,鈥� said Dr. David Coope, the neurosurgeon who performed the procedure.
鈥淎fter extensive engineering development and pre-clinical trials, INBRAIN鈥檚 first-in-human study will involve 8-10 patients, primarily to demonstrate the safety of graphene in direct contact with the human brain,鈥� said Kostas Kostarelos, Ph.D., Co-Founder, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics. 鈥淭he study will also aim to demonstrate graphene鈥檚 superiority over other materials in decoding brain functionality in both awake and asleep states.鈥�
鈥淭he integration of graphene and AI with advanced semiconductor technology has allowed INBRAIN to pioneer a new generation of minimally-invasive BCI therapeutics designed for the personalized treatment of neurological disorders,鈥� said Jose A. Garrido, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of INBRAIN and ICREA Professor at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
After extensive engineering development and pre-clinical trials, INBRAIN鈥檚 first-in-human study will involve 8-10 patients, primarily to demonstrate the safety of graphene in direct contact with the human brain
Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate and Vision Board member of INBRAIN, who first isolated stable graphene at The University of Manchester in 2004, and now at the National University of Singapore, said: 鈥淲itnessing graphene's exceptional properties unlock new frontiers in medical technology is truly rewarding. This breakthrough, a result of a decade-long development under the Graphene Flagship program, can now start to unravel its transformative societal impact.鈥�
The study is powered by INBRAIN鈥檚 graphene-based Intelligent Network Decoding & Modulation (BCI-Tx) Platform, which has received Breakthrough Device Designation for Parkinson鈥檚 disease from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. INBRAIN鈥檚 BCI-Tx platform leverages graphene鈥檚 unique properties to deliver ultra-high signal resolution and adaptive neuroelectronic therapy, enabling real-time decoding of biomarkers and precise modulation of cortical and subcortical structures at the micrometer scale for neural network rebalancing.
According to Carolina Aguilar, 鈥淚NBRAIN is at the forefront of precision neurology, integrating BCI decoding with high-precision neuromodulation to restore function and alleviate symptoms, delivering continuous, personalized treatment to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects.鈥�