Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant company, said on Thursday it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the first human clinical trial.
On at least four occasions since 2019, Musk has predicted that his medical device company would soon begin human trials of a brain implant to treat intractable conditions like paralysis and blindness.
However, the company, founded in 2016, didn’t seek permission from the FDA until early 2022, and the agency rejected the application, seven current and former employees told Reuters in March.
In a tweet Thursday, Neuralink said the company is not yet open to a clinical trial.
“This is the result of the Neuralink team’s incredible work in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people,” Neuralink said in a tweet on Thursday.
Neuralink is developing a brain implant it hopes will help paralyzed people walk again and treat other neurological diseases.
The US FDA did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Source: Terra
