Science Corp Prepares First Human Brain Sensor Placement with Yale Neurosurgeon
Science Corporation, the BCI company founded by ex-Neuralink president Max Hodak, is preparing to place a pea-sized, 520-electrode sensor on a human brain’s surface during already-scheduled surgery. Yale neurosurgery chair Murat Günel will lead the program; trials could begin in 2027. The company also has a retinal implant with CE mark approval expected mid-2026.
Background
Science Corporation raised $230M Series C at a $1.5B valuation ($490M total) and employs 150 people.
Device and Approach
The device is a pea-sized chip packed with 520 recording electrodes. Unlike Neuralink’s implant, it will rest on top of the cortex, recording neural activity from the surface while a neurosurgeon performs an unrelated operation.
Surgical Strategy
Surgeon Murat Günel plans to use existing cranial surgeries, such as those for stroke victims requiring a craniectomy, to minimize additional risks and time. He aims to evaluate the device's safety and its ability to record brain activity in these initial cases.
Long-Term Vision
Science Corp’s goal is to develop a biohybrid neural interface: a device embedded with lab-grown neurons genetically modified with light-sensitive proteins. These neurons would integrate naturally with the patient’s brain over time, forming a biological bridge between electronics and neural tissue.