InBrain Neuroelectronics Reports Positive Interim Results for Graphene-Based Brain-Computer Interface Technology

InBrain Neuroelectronics, a Barcelona-based company, has announced promising interim findings from a first-in-human clinical study of its innovative graphene-based brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The study, conducted at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, marks a significant step forward in the development of advanced neuroelectronic therapies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and stroke rehabilitation.

Groundbreaking Graphene Technology

InBrain's BCI technology utilizes graphene, a material renowned for its strength, flexibility, and conductivity. The company's implant, measuring just 10 micrometers in thickness—thinner than a human hair—is designed to safely decode and modulate neural signals with high accuracy. This ultra-thin design allows for more precise conformity to the brain surface compared to conventional strip electrodes.

The graphene-based semiconductors offer several advantages in neurosurgical procedures:

• Enhanced surgical precision through smaller, more densely packed electrodes
• Improved definition and preservation of critical functional areas during tumor resection
• Accurate decoding and mapping in complex or hard-to-access brain regions

Interim Study Results

The ongoing study, sponsored by the University of Manchester, is evaluating the safety and functional performance of graphene-based electrodes during brain tumor resection surgeries. Key findings from the first cohort of four patients include:

• No device-related adverse events reported
• Distinct high gamma activity captured during awake language mapping, linked to different phonemes
• Exceptional spatial and temporal resolution achieved with micrometer-scale contacts
• Compatibility with commercially available, CE-marked electrophysiology systems
• Reliable real-time brain signal recording throughout surgical procedures

David Coope, chief investigator and consultant neurosurgeon at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, commented on the technology's potential: "The ability to detect high-frequency neural activity with micrometer-scale precision opens new possibilities for understanding brain-tumor interactions and broader brain function in neuro-related disorders. This technology could be transformative, not only for improving surgical outcomes but for unlocking new treatment pathways."

Future Implications and Industry Collaborations

InBrain's Intelligent Network Modulation System received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 as an adjunctive therapy for treating Parkinson's disease. The company is also exploring applications beyond neurosurgery through its subsidiary, Innervia Bioelectronics, which has established a strategic collaboration with Merck KGaA to investigate peripheral nerve and systemic disease applications in neurotechnology and bioelectronics.

Carolina Aguilar, CEO and co-founder of InBrain Neuroelectronics, expressed optimism about the technology's future: "This milestone demonstrates that graphene-based [BCIs] can be deployed in the operating room and deliver a level of neural fidelity not achievable with traditional materials. We're moving toward a future where neurosurgeons and neurologists can rely on real-time, high-definition brain data to guide personalized interventions."

As the BCI technology landscape continues to evolve, InBrain Neuroelectronics' advancements contribute to a growing field that includes notable players such as Elon Musk's Neuralink. With a recent $50 million series B financing round completed in October, InBrain is well-positioned to further develop and refine its groundbreaking graphene-based BCI technology.