Science Corporation Successfully Implants Vision-Restoring Chip in Its Inaugural Patient with Stargardt Disease
Max Hodak, the CEO of Science Corporation, has revealed that the company has successfully implanted its vision-restoring device, PRIMA, into a patient diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that progressively deteriorates central vision. During a presentation at TechCrunch Disrupt, Hodak, who previously co-founded Neuralink, articulated how PRIMA aligns with the company’s broader goal of developing innovative brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
“The retina functions as an extension of the central nervous system,” Hodak stated. “We see cochlear implants, retinal prosthetics, and motor prosthetics as various forms of BCIs.”
Hodak envisions BCIs evolving beyond mere computer control into a spectrum of health technology solutions.
While the device is already on the market in Europe for patients who have experienced vision loss due to geographic atrophy, a severe form of age-related macular degeneration, the company is optimistic that its technology can also benefit individuals with Stargardt disease, which is currently deemed untreatable.
Stargardt disease impacts the outer retina, leading to the gradual loss of light-sensitive cells, while the inner retina, which transmits visual signals to the brain, often remains unharmed. This condition creates a growing central blind spot over time, affecting roughly 150,000 people globally.
“The brain interprets vision as electrical signals traveling through the optic nerve,” Hodak explained. “If we can enable the optic nerve to accurately relay signals to the brain, we can restore visual perception.”
The inaugural patient with Stargardt disease received the PRIMA implant in May as part of an ongoing clinical trial at the Sydney Eye Hospital in Australia. During the initial rehabilitation session, the patient was able to recognize a letter, and in the next, he read a word.
The procedure requires about an hour to implant a compact chip at the back of the eye, where photoreceptors have deteriorated. The patient then utilizes specially designed glasses equipped with cameras that relay visual information to the chip. The device serves as an artificial substitute for photoreceptors.
“The implant is a two-millimeter by two-millimeter device placed at the rear of the eye, creating a visual experience similar to looking through a straw,” Hodak noted. “It does not provide a wide field of view or color vision—it’s a spot in their central vision that offers a sharp, high-contrast black-and-white image, allowing them to see a few letters simultaneously. Our next objective is to expand the field of vision. To do this, we must create larger implants while addressing eye curvature and miniaturizing electrodes to improve detail.”
He added, “We see a clear path ahead. A next-generation device is currently being developed, which should enter human trials within the coming year. Over the next five years, we anticipate achieving a level of vision that comes close to natural acuity.”
Since its establishment in 2021, Science Corporation has aimed to spearhead advancements in neural engineering and BCI technology. However, the firm initially seeks to validate its methodologies and establish a viable business model, which is why the restoration of vision for the visually impaired is its starting point.
Regarding its BCI technology, Science Corporation intends to implant its sensor beneath the skull, resting on top of the brain, in contrast to Neuralink’s approach of embedding devices into brain tissue directly.
The firm is optimistic that the device could prove beneficial for neurological disorders, including possibly tracking brain activity in patients with tumors.
“In the short term, our upcoming clinical indication—yet to be publicly revealed—will target a well-known neurodegenerative disorder,” Hodak said. “We’re also exploring treatment possibilities for stroke. For instance, if a portion of the brain has died due to stroke, establishing connections into deeper brain regions could effectively create new cortical areas, a feat impossible with traditional electrode methods. Ultimately, our long-term ambition is to decipher how the brain generates the mind and develop engineered cognitive systems.”
Hodak emphasized that Science Corporation believes BCIs will become increasingly relevant to society. Although they are not aimed at “healthy 40-year-olds,” the company anticipates that many people will require some form of BCI by the time they reach 60 or 70 years of age.
“Our goal is to extend not merely lifespan but also the quality of life,” Hodak concluded.
