Elon Musk’s startup company, Neuralink received approval from the FDA to conduct its first human clinical study.
Neuralink has created a brain implant called the Link, which enables patients with severe paralysis to operate external technology using only neural signals.
This suggests that people with severe degenerative diseases like ALS may someday regain the ability to type and move cursors with their minds.
The company wrote on Twitter, “this is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people.”
According to CNBC, Neuralink is a component of the rapidly growing brain-computer interface (BCI) market. A BCI is a device that interprets brain impulses and converts them into commands for external technologies.
Due to Musk’s prominent status as the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter, Neuralink is arguably the most well-known brand in space.
The FDA’s ultimate seal of approval has not been secured by any BCI company.
Patients who use Neuralink’s BCI must have invasive brain surgery.
We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!
This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our…
— Neuralink (@neuralink) May 25, 2023