$50M raised to support better deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's

30 Oct 2024, 12:00 by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD · Parkinson's News Today

Inbrain Neuroelectronics has raised $50 million in funding to continue developing its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology using ultra-thin graphene electrodes, designed for more personalized treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease and other conditions.

BCIs are implanted devices that can be used to decode and modulate brain activity. The funding, raised through a Series B financing round, will help the company move forward with clinical applications of its BCI-Therapeutics platform in the neurological disease space.

Inbrain also indicated that it has secured additional funding and support from the pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA to advance the technology in Merck’s therapeutic areas of interest. It did not specify likely diseases areas or the funding amount given.

Deep brain stimulation is given to help ease Parkinson’s motor symptoms

“We’re shaping the future of brain-computer interface therapeutics,” Carolina Aguilar, CEO and co-founder of Inbrain, said in a company press release. “We are excited to have the support of a top-tier syndicate as we work to bring this technology to patients in need of more precise, personalized treatments.”

An approach to treating brain diseases like Parkinson’s is through delivering electrical stimuli to defined brain regions, helping to restore more normal nerve cell signaling. That’s the premise of deep brain stimulation (DBS), in which an implanted device delivers electrical signals that work to ease Parkinson’s motor symptoms.

Most current DBS devices release consistent electrical pulses in a set pattern, regardless of a person’s current symptoms. Inbrain’s neural implant technology is intended to provide more precise neural stimulation based on a person’s specific brain activity patterns.

Its ultimate goal is to enhance treatment outcomes and minimize side effects by enabling real-time, personalized neural modulation, the company reports.

The device contains slim graphene-based electrodes — 10 micrometers thick, thinner than a human hair — that continuously record brain activity. These electrical brain signals are decoded using an artificial intelligence-based platform, with the information fed in real time to the electrodes. The electrodes then deliver therapeutic stimulation in the degree needed at that specific moment.

Graphene is a ultra slim and highly conductive metal

Graphene, a Nobel Prize-winning material, is known for being strong, flexible, and having good electrical conductivity, while also being extremely thin. The company anticipates that its device’s resolution and accuracy in decoding brain signals will be higher than those using other metals used.

“By harnessing the remarkable properties of graphene, Inbrain is advancing cutting-edge neurotechnology applications that could significantly improve patient outcomes,” said Marcin Nowak, investment director at European Investment Bank.

The platform was designated a breakthrough device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year for its potential to offer more effective DBS as an add-on Parkinson’s treatment.

Inbrain also believes its technology will be helpful for other neurological conditions, including epilepsy, stroke recovery, and brain cancer.

Its graphene technology recently was tested for a first time in an ongoing clinical trial in people undergoing surgery for brain cancer at a U.K. hospital. The company reported that the technology was able to differentiate between healthy and cancerous brain tissue with precision. Between eight and 10 patients are expected to be enrolled and treated in the study, taking place at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester.

Inbrain also announced that it is collaborating with Imec, a digital technology company, to scale up production of its graphene interfaces at a commercial level.

“This unique graphene-based BCI platform has the potential to redefine how we treat neurological disorders by offering more precise, adaptable, and intelligent therapeutics,” said Frank Bulens, a partner at Imec.Xpand, which led the recent financing round.

“We look forward to supporting the Inbrain team in accelerating their clinical trials and bringing this next-generation technology to patients,” Bulens said.