Precision Neuroscience

Precision Neuroscience is an American brain–computer interface (BCI) company based in New York City and with offices in Mountain View, California, Addison, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The company is building a minimally invasive brain–computer interface. The interface is based on a thin-film microelectrode array that conforms to the brain surface without penetrating the tissue. It can collect hundreds of times more neural data than traditional cortical surface arrays. The procedure to implant the device does not require a craniotomy, and the implantation is designed to be reversible. Precision Neuroscience aims to treat neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and traumatic brain injury.

History
Precision Neuroscience was founded by Benjamin Rapoport, Michael Mager, Demetrios Papageorgiou and Mark Hettick and was launched in 2021. Rapoport is a neurosurgeon in the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, where he specializes in minimally invasive surgery. Rapoport received a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Rapoport was previously on the eight-member founding team at Elon Musk’s brain–computer interface company, Neuralink. Rapoport left Neuralink in 2018.

Rapoport, along with Michael Mager, an investor and business builder, and a team of experts in areas such as neuroscience, microfabrication and software launched Precision Neuroscience in 2021. Rapoport is the founding Chief Science Officer at Precision Neuroscience. Mager is the founding Chief Executive Officer.

In May 2021, Precision Neuroscience raised a $12 million Series A funding round led by Steadview Capital. In January 2023, the company raised a $41 million Series B funding round led by Forepont Capital Partners. Other investors in Precision Neuroscience include B Capital, Mubadala Capital, Draper Associates, Alumni Ventures, and re.Mind Capital. In October 2023, Precision Neuroscience acquired a microelectromechanical systems MEMS manufacturing facility near Dallas, Texas.

Technology
The company is building a minimally invasive brain–computer interface. The interface, called the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, makes contact with the brain surface using a thin electrode array that conforms to the surface of the brain without damaging brain tissue. The array is one-fifth the thickness of a human hair and contains 1,024 microelectrodes, yielding a spatial resolution hundreds of times higher than traditional electrode arrays. Together with customized supporting electronics and software, the device provides a high-resolution view of cortical activity in real-time.

Precision Neuroscience developed a novel minimally invasive surgical procedure to implant the electrode arrays. To implant the device, a surgeon makes a thin slit in the skull, less than a millimeter in width.

Testing
Precision Neuroscience has successfully used the Layer 7 Cortical Interface to record neural signals in animals and in human patients.

In June 2023, Precision Neuroscience announced it had performed a pilot human clinical trial in collaboration with the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Neurosurgery of the West Virginia University School of Medicine. According to WIRED, “the implants were able to read, record, and map electrical activity in part of the patients’ temporal lobes, which helps process sensory input.”

In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Precision Neuroscience's system Breakthrough Device designation. As of 2023, Precision is in the process of applying for full FDA clearance for its first-generation product.

In March 2024, Precision Neuroscience announced expanded clinical studies at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City (led by Ignacio Saez) and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (led by Iahn Cajigas Gonzales).