Neuralink, the brainchild of Elon Musk, has recently received approval to conduct its first-ever clinical trial outside of the United States. This milestone comes about a year after the company successfully implanted its first device in a human patient.
Having initiated human trials for the first time in September last year, Neuralink is now expanding its operations to the Canadian market. The primary objective of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and initial functionality of the brain implant developed by Neuralink. The implant is designed to address a wide range of neurological disorders, from paralysis to mental health conditions.
The Canadian Health University Health Network has announced that Toronto Western Hospital will be the first site outside of the U.S. to test the efficacy of Neuralink’s device in treating these disorders. UHN Chief Executive Kevin Smith expressed his pride in being at the forefront of this groundbreaking research in neurosurgery. While UHN will be the exclusive site for the trial in Canada, the commencement date of the testing has not been disclosed yet.
Neuralink is actively seeking its first patients in Canada and aims to collaborate with individuals suffering from quadriplegia due to conditions like ALS or SCI. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Earlier this year, Neuralink successfully implanted its first patient, Noland Arbaugh, with the device. Subsequently, in August, the company announced the successful implantation of its second patient, known as “Alex.” Remarkably, Alex was able to learn to play computer games and design 3D objects using CAD software within weeks of the procedure.
This approval marks a significant step forward for Neuralink, as it expands its reach beyond the U.S. and continues its mission to revolutionize brain-computer interface technology. The company’s innovative approach holds promise for transforming the lives of individuals affected by neurological disorders.