NRFC Supports Mind-Controlled Technology as Synchron Raises $308 Million
A Melbourne-based neurotechnology company, Synchron, is developing a brain implant that allows people to control external devices using their thoughts. The company recently secured US$200 million (AUD$308 million) in a Series D funding round, including a $54 million investment from Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).
About Synchron and the Stentrode Device
Founded in 2016 by Nicholas Opie, Tom Oxley, and Rahul Sharma, Synchron is working on a brain-computer interface (BCI) called the Stentrode. This innovative device translates brain activity into digital commands without the need for open-brain surgery.
- The Stentrode is inserted through a small incision in the neck via the jugular vein.
- It is guided into a major blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex, which controls movement planning.
- Once positioned, it detects neural signals generated by the patient's thoughts.
- These signals are transmitted wirelessly to an antenna implanted under the skin in the chest.
- The antenna connects to external devices like computers and smartphones.
Future Plans and Impact
The funds from this latest round will support clinical trials, prepare for commercial launch, and help expand Synchron’s team with new engineers, neuroscientists, and operators.
“We’ve built the first non-surgical brain-computer interface designed for everyday life for people with paralysis,” said founder and CEO Tom Oxley.
This breakthrough technology holds promise for transforming lives by enabling mobility and communication through thought alone.
Summary: Synchron’s non-invasive brain-computer interface, backed by substantial funding including from NRFC, aims to revolutionize assistive technology for people with paralysis by translating thought into control of external devices.