A retina chip designed to restore vision is now available for purchase in Europe.

      Geographic atrophy represents the most severe type of age-related macular degeneration. For many individuals experiencing this condition, the central vision gradually dims. Faces become indistinct, and words fade away. Currently, there is no cure, only therapies that slow down the progression. However, a small chip is starting to restore some vision.

      Science Corp, located in Alameda, California, announced its plan to begin selling the Prima implant in Europe. This device is a chip that is positioned at the back of the eye and operates in conjunction with a pair of specialized glasses.

      These glasses emit near-infrared light to the chip, which then transforms it into signals for the retina. A "zoom" function enables patients to enlarge letters. As noted by Bloomberg, the Prima has received a CE mark from DEKRA, the notified body, allowing it to be sold in 30 different European countries.

      This achievement is significant not only from a medical standpoint but also as it marks the first widely available device from a US brain-implant company. Interestingly, the company that has achieved this milestone is not the most well-known. Science is the second most valuable brain-implant company in the US, trailing behind Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Its founder, Max Hodak, was involved in the inception of Neuralink before establishing this venture.

      “This represents the beginning of what we hope will be a long series of commercial products that will progressively advance this field, sometimes in small steps, but persistently,” Hodak stated in an interview.

      The key term here is commercial. Companies developing brain implants have conducted trials for years, but selling a device to everyday patients marks a significant threshold.

      The chip's capabilities

      The trial that led to the device's approval was small yet notable. Featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, it monitored 38 patients across 17 locations in five countries. On average, these participants improved by 25.5 letters, which equates to more than five lines on a traditional eye chart. Additionally, 84% of them were able to read letters, numbers, and words again. However, it is important to note that this is not a cure.

      Geographic atrophy caused by AMD affects over five million individuals globally. Nevertheless, it represents a genuine restoration of function. Science has secured $489 million in funding with a valuation of $1.5 billion.

      Europe first, America later

      The geographical aspect is noteworthy. Science anticipates its first commercial patient by August, likely in Germany, followed by numerous others this year and around 200 more next year.

      The US market will come later, as the company collaborates with the Food and Drug Administration and hopes to launch in the US next year. The Prima already has FDA Breakthrough Device and Humanitarian Use Device designations, both of which are designed to expedite treatment for specific high-need cases.

      Meanwhile, China has declared brain technology a national priority and has approved its initial implant. The race on a global scale is attracting billions in investment. The science that can restore vision is on the verge of becoming available. The next question concerns its pricing and availability: for now, the answer is straightforward: Europe, with the cost yet to be determined.