Science Corp's vision-restoring chip wins EU approval

A brain-computer interface designed to restore vision in blind patients has received regulatory approval in the European Union. Science Corporation, the company behind the implant, announced that its device, known as the Science Eye, has been granted a CE mark under the European Medical Device Regulation, allowing it to be sold across EU member states. The approval marks a significant step for the field of visual prosthetics, which has struggled for decades to bring effective treatments to market.

The Science Eye is a retinal implant that uses a subretinal photovoltaic array to stimulate remaining retinal cells, bypassing damaged photoreceptors. It is intended for patients who have lost sight due to conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. The company estimates that hundreds of thousands of people in Europe alone could potentially benefit from the technology, though initial availability will be limited to specialized clinics.

The approval matters because it offers a new option for patients with severe vision loss who currently have no effective treatments. While other retinal implants exist, they often require bulky external equipment and provide only rudimentary light perception. Science Corporation claims its device can enable patients to recognize shapes, locate objects, and even read large letters, though the company has not yet published peer-reviewed clinical data to support these claims.

According to the company, the CE mark was granted after a review of safety and performance data from a 38-patient clinical trial conducted in Europe. The trial, which began in 2022, included patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss. Science Corp. CEO Max Hodak said the company is now focused on scaling up manufacturing and establishing reimbursement pathways with European health systems. "The thing that the space needs is a company making $100 million a year of revenue," Hodak stated, emphasizing the need for commercial viability.

Science Corporation was founded in 2021 by Max Hodak, who previously co-founded Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-computer interface company. The Science Eye is the company's first product to reach regulatory approval. The company has raised over $160 million in funding from investors including Founders Fund and DCVC.

Next steps include a limited commercial launch in select European countries, with plans to expand to other regions pending regulatory approvals. The company is also working on a next-generation version of the implant that would include wireless power transmission, eliminating the need for a battery pack worn behind the ear. Science Corp. expects to begin a U.S. clinical trial for the device in 2025.