Science Corporation, a California-based startup developing brain-computer interfaces, has secured regulatory approval from Europe's medical device authority to market its PRIMA retinal implant. The device restores functional vision in patients who have lost sight due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The announcement marks a major milestone for the company founded by Max Hodak, former president of Neuralink, and brings hope to millions who struggle with reading and face recognition.
The PRIMA chip restores functional vision after a one-hour outpatient procedure
The PRIMA device is implanted in the back of the eye during a one-hour outpatient surgery. Patients wear camera-equipped glasses that capture the visual scene and transmit it wirelessly to the chip. The chip then stimulates remaining retinal neurons, sending signals to the brain. "One of our patients in France finished a 300-page novel a little while ago, and sent us the book," Hodak told TechCrunch. "We have a sketch on the wall that one of our patients drew of the Sydney Opera House. There are videos of patients playing crossword puzzles and filling in Sudoku." The company emphasizes that while vision is not completely restored, it is functional enough to enable daily activities.
Sponsored Protocol
European approval paves the way for U.S. breakthrough designation
In addition to the European green light, Science Corporation has received Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. FDA, initiating an expedited review for two rare forms of blindness. The company is now negotiating reimbursement with healthcare providers in Germany, where clinical trials took place, and expects to perform the first commercial implant in September. Each PRIMA device will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. "The thing that the space needs is a company making $100 million a year of revenue," Hodak said. "There's this risk that the whole thing enters a winter, and so we think it's important to build a sustainable business as we develop these longer-term technologies."
Sponsored Protocol
From Pixium acquisition to a bio-hybrid brain sensor future
Science Corporation acquired French firm Pixium in 2024, which had developed the PRIMA technology. The company used its internal platform to complete the documentation and evolve the product for approval. The immediate goal is to commercialize PRIMA and use the revenue to fund research into bio-hybrid brain sensors, developed with Dr. Murat Günel, chair of neurosurgery at Yale Medical School. "Bringing PRIMA to market is the most important thing for the company, because we don't get to do the bio hybrid stuff long term if you don't have a great vision business," Hodak added. Future versions will feature an upgraded chip and glasses form factor, aiming for something like Meta's AR glasses but with higher power and compute demands. For insights on team-based AI adoption, check out the article on Atlassian: AI adoption must focus on teams. For more on age-related macular degeneration, visit Wikipedia.
Sponsored Protocol
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/22/science-corporations-vision-restoring-chip-wins-eu-approval
