Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant company, has approached one of the largest neurosurgery centres in the United States as a potential clinical trial partner as it prepares to test its devices on humans once regulators allow it.
Six people with knowledge of the situation confirmed this to Reuters.
Since 2016, Neuralink has been developing brain implants in the hopes of eventually developing a cure for intractable conditions such as paralysis and blindness.
It was dealt a setback in early 2022 when the US Food and Drug Administration denied its application to proceed to human trials, citing major safety concerns, according to Reuters earlier this month.
Since then, the company has been working to address the agency’s concerns, but it is unclear whether or not it will be successful.
According to the sources, Neuralink has been in discussions with Barrow Neurological Institute, a Phoenix, Arizona-based neurological disease treatment and research organisation, about assisting with the human trials.
The discussions may not result in a collaboration. According to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss the confidential discussions, Neuralink has also discussed partnering with other centres.
Neuralink’s latest efforts come as it faces two known federal investigations into its practises in the United States.