Interfaces Without Limits: Somnee, Neuralink, and IBM Drive the Next Leap in Brain-Tech Integration– Issue #23
Welcome to Neurotech Pulse – Issue #23! In this edition, we explore the latest advancements shaping neurotechnology. Epitel’s REMI system earns FDA clearance for pediatric EEG, Epiminder’s Minder implant reaches a key clinical milestone for epilepsy monitoring, and Paradromics completes its first-in-human BCI trial. Meanwhile, China makes headlines with its first successful wireless brain implant in a tetraplegic patient, marking a major step in the global BCI race.
This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Somnee, an AI-powered sleep neurotech wearable that uses real-time EEG brain mapping and personalized neurostimulation to enhance sleep quality in just 15 minutes. Backed by world-class scientists and pilots with NBA teams, Somnee is redefining non-drug sleep interventions. We also explore emerging trends, from real-time voice synthesis BCIs for ALS patients and respiratory “fingerprints” as a novel biometric, to AI-powered imaging tools transforming Alzheimer’s care. Plus, don’t miss breakthroughs in neuron conversion, expression-based diagnostics, and EEG neurofeedback for chronic pain, alongside major funding news from Neuralink, Somnee, and Samphire Neuroscience.
⚡️Neurotech Newsflash
Epitel Earns FDA Clearance for Pediatric Wireless EEG Monitoring: Epitel’s REMI System has earned its fifth 510(k) clearance, now approved for EEG monitoring in infants and children aged 1+. The wireless, wearable setup enables comfortable, remote brain monitoring in both hospitals and homes, marking a major step for pediatric neurocare. (Read more)
Epiminder’s Implantable EEG Clears Clinical Milestone: Epiminder’s Minder system, a minimally invasive implantable EEG device, has shown comparable accuracy to scalp EEG in the UMPIRE trial across Australia. Approved as a Breakthrough Device by the FDA, Minder enables continuous, remote monitoring for drug-resistant epilepsy, capturing seizures even during daily life, and offering insights not seen in traditional systems. (Read more)
Paradromics Begins Human Trials with Connexus® BCI: Paradromics has completed its first-in-human recording using the Connexus® BCI in partnership with the University of Michigan. The surgery demonstrated safe implantation, recording, and removal within 20 minutes. This milestone transitions Paradromics into a clinical-stage company, with further trials planned to assess long-term safety and communication restoration for patients with severe motor impairments.(Read more)
China Conducts First Successful Invasive BCI Trial: China has completed its first clinical trial of a wireless invasive brain-computer interface (BCI), placing it alongside the US in advancing implantable neurotech. Conducted by the Center for Excellence in Brain Science (Shanghai) and Fudan University’s Huashan Hospital, the trial involved a tetraplegic patient who played computer games using only neural signals. The implant, reportedly the world’s smallest and 100x more flexible than Neuralink’s, enabled real-time control of external devices. Researchers now aim to enable robotic arm control, with market approval targeted by 2028. (Read more)
IBM x Inclusive Brains: New Study on Mind-Controlled Interfaces: IBM and neurotech startup Inclusive Brains have teamed up to explore how AI and quantum computing can classify brain activity for mind-controlled computing. The joint study will test algorithmic models using IBM’s Granite foundation models and quantum ML to translate neural intent into digital action, without invasive implants. Inclusive Brains’ multimodal interface interprets brainwaves, facial cues, and eye movements to support mental commands. Early tests include monitoring surgeon stress during live operations. The results will be published as open science to support ethical, inclusive BCI development. (Read more)
💰Notable Funding
Neuralink Raises $650M to Expand Brain Interface Trials and Applications
Neuralink has closed a $650 million Series E round with participation from Sequoia Capital, Founders Fund, ARK Invest, Thrive Capital, and others. The funding supports ongoing clinical trials across the U.S., Canada, and the UAE, including five paralyzed patients using Neuralink to control digital and physical devices via thought. The company also received FDA Breakthrough Device Designations for vision and speech restoration programs and is advancing toward a whole-brain interface. (Read more)Samphire Neuroscience Raises $5M to Expand tDCS Wearable for Menstrual Pain: Samphire Neuroscience closed a $5M seed round led by Inventure VC to scale its CE-certified neurotech wearable, Nettle, designed to alleviate menstrual symptoms through daily tDCS sessions. The headband targets mood and pain issues related to PMS and PMDD, offering a non-hormonal alternative with strong demand in Europe and the UK. The funding will support commercial expansion and platform development, following a pre-seed raise of $2.3M in 2024. (Read more)
Somnee raises $10M to expand AI neurotech sleep wearables: US-based Somnee has raised $10M in a seed extension round led by Khosla Ventures, with backing from TIME Ventures, the DeVos family, and others. The funds will support the launch of its Gen-2 smart headband, which uses EEG+ and real-time AI to enhance deep sleep quality. Early studies show it outperforms melatonin, Ambien, and CBT-i. Currently in beta testing with NBA teams, Somnee aims to scale across elite sports, employers, and wellness brands. (Read more)
Draig Therapeutics Raises $140M to Advance Next-Gen Therapies for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: UK-based Draig Therapeutics has closed a $140M Series A round led by Access Biotechnology, with participation from Sanofi Ventures, Canaan Partners, SR One, and others. The funding will advance DT-101, a novel AMPA receptor modulator, into Phase II trials for major depressive disorder (MDD). DT-101 showed promising target engagement in Phase Ia using magnetoencephalography (MEG), linking the program to advanced neuroimaging-based validation. Draig will also progress two GABAA receptor modulators aimed at broader neuropsychiatric conditions with limited current treatment options. (Read more)
🧠 Neurotech Trends:
Real-Time BCI Voice Synthesis Advances Communication for ALS Patients:
Following Blackrock Neurotech’s text-to-speech BCI milestone in 2024, UC Davis researchers have now demonstrated real-time voice synthesis directly from brain signals. Published in Nature, the study shows an ALS patient communicating via instantaneous speech generation (25 ms delay) with control over intonation, pacing, and melody. Unlike earlier systems that spelled out words, this approach recreates the natural rhythm and prosody of speech, offering a richer interface for people with severe paralysis. This BCI-enabled “digital voice box” represents a leap toward conversational neuroprosthetics, not just faster, but more human. (Read more)Your Breath, Your Brain: Nasal Airflow Patterns as a New Biometric Frontier:
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have identified “respiratory fingerprints”, unique nasal airflow patterns that can identify individuals with 96.8% accuracy. Using a wearable device that tracked airflow from both nostrils over 24 hours, the study revealed stable, person-specific breathing signatures that also correlate with anxiety, BMI, and sleep cycles. The findings suggest that breathing isn’t just passive; it may actively encode emotional and cognitive states. As the line between biometric ID and mental health monitoring blurs, breath may emerge as a new non-invasive channel for decoding brain states and emotional health. (Read more)AI Imaging + Real-World Data: A New Era in Alzheimer’s Monitoring: Cortechs.ai has partnered with ALZ-NET to bring its AI-powered neuroimaging tool, NeuroQuant® for ARIA, to clinics treating Alzheimer’s patients on anti-amyloid therapies. The tool detects and quantifies cerebral microbleeds and edema tied to ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities), enabling more precise monitoring of patients undergoing treatment. By linking this with ALZ-NET’s nationwide real-world data registry, the collaboration promises to accelerate evidence-based guidelines and early intervention strategies. As neurodegenerative therapies expand, this signals a critical shift toward AI-assisted, longitudinal tracking in real-world care. (Read more)
Hacking the Brain Through the Knee? Stimvia’s Non-Invasive BCI Breakthrough: Czech startup Stimvia has developed URIS, a non-invasive neuromodulation device that stimulates deep brain regions via the peroneal nerve behind the knee. Initially used for overactive bladder, URIS is now being tested for Parkinson’s, MS, and restless leg syndrome. fMRI studies suggest effects on the prefrontal cortex. The system includes an AI assistant that adapts stimulation in real time. With 200+ units shipped, MDR certification, and EU expansion underway, Stimvia is preparing for U.S. trials and rollout. The approach offers a personalized alternative to invasive BCI systems. (Read more)
📘 Neurotech Articles:
Skin to Neuron, No Stem Cells Needed: MIT Engineers Redefine Cell Therapy: MIT researchers have developed a breakthrough technique that directly converts skin cells into motor neurons, without passing through a stem cell stage. By using just three transcription factors and two proliferation genes, the method achieved over 1,000% yield in mouse cells, with successful brain engraftment and functional signaling. Early human cell results are also promising. This streamlined process could accelerate treatments for spinal cord injury, ALS, and other motor disorders by enabling scalable neuron production for therapeutic use. (Read more)
Neuralink’s “Blindsight” Shows a Monkey What Isn’t There: At the Neural Interfaces conference, Neuralink shared first results from Blindsight, a visual prosthetic designed to restore sight by stimulating the brain’s visual cortex. In trials, monkeys with the implant responded to visual targets that didn’t physically exist, suggesting the device successfully generated perception directly in the brain. Neuralink aims to begin human trials soon, with longer-term goals of enabling augmented vision like infrared perception. The system may eventually combine brain implants with wearable glasses, powered by the company’s surgical robot for deeper cortical access. (Read more)
Facial Expressions Reveal Hidden Cognitive States Across Species: New research from the Ernst Strüngmann Institute shows that facial expressions can predict internal cognitive states, like focus, motivation, and alertness, in both macaques and mice. Published in Nature Communications, the study used a foraging task and virtual reality to track facial features, finding consistent cross-species patterns that correlated with task performance. If validated in humans, this could unlock new diagnostic tools for ADHD, autism, and dementia by using facial data to objectively measure attention and cognitive traits. (Read more)
Gaming the Brain: EEG Neurofeedback for Chronic Pain Relief: Researchers at the University of New South Wales and NeuRA have developed PainWaive, a game-based EEG neurofeedback system to help treat chronic nerve pain without drugs. The kit includes a low-cost 3D-printed EEG headset and a tablet app that trains users to regulate abnormal brainwave patterns linked to pain. In early trials, 3 out of 4 participants saw significant pain reduction, prompting a larger 224-person trial. The approach builds on findings that chronic pain disrupts thalamocortical rhythms, marked by more theta, fewer alpha, and excess high-beta waves, suggesting targeted neurofeedback could rewire these patterns. (Read more)
🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:
IEEE Brain Discovery and Neurotechnology Workshop (In-Person)
📅 Date: September 12–13, 2025 | Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, CanadaWhy Attend the Event?
Connect with global leaders in neurotech, machine learning, and clinical neuroscience. Featuring keynotes, panels, and live demos, the workshop spotlights breakthroughs in brain imaging, BCIs, and AI-powered diagnostics.Link to register: Register here
MiNT UK 2025 (In-Person)
📅 Date: October 16, 2025 | CentrEd at ExCeL LondonWhy Attend the Event?
Explore how neurotechnology is shaping real-world clinical outcomes. MiNT UK brings together engineers, clinicians, and researchers for a full day of expert panels, hands-on workshops, and demos of emerging tools in neurorehab and therapy. A focused platform to connect, learn, and share across disciplines.🔗 Link to register: Register here
🎬Case Studies
🎬 In this edition's case study spotlight, we explore Somnee, a personalized sleep technology developed by StimScience to address one of the most widespread yet underserved health issues: poor sleep. Somnee blends real-time EEG brain mapping with AI-guided transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) to help users fall asleep faster, reduce nighttime interruptions, and improve deep sleep quality, all through a 15-minute pre-sleep session. Backed by clinical validation and leading neuroscientists like Dr. Matthew Walker, Somnee is redefining non-drug interventions for better sleep.
Overview: Somnee is a clinical-grade wearable that combines real-time EEG monitoring, personalized neurostimulation, and short-form therapy sessions before bedtime. The system analyzes brain activity to model each user’s unique sleep patterns and delivers targeted tACS stimulation to nudge the brain into a sleep-ready state. Unlike most overnight devices, Somnee is worn only before sleep, making it lightweight, convenient, and habit-friendly. The product has been piloted in high-performance environments and shows promise as a scalable tool for improving sleep quality across demographics.
Use Case Highlights:
Pre-Sleep EEG Brain Mapping: EEG+ sensors create a personalized model of the user’s sleep profile over multiple nights to tailor stimulation.
AI-Personalized Neurostimulation: The SmartSleep OS adapts stimulation parameters nightly to improve sleep onset time, depth, and reduce nighttime wakeups.
Non-Pharma Sleep Aid: A drug-free, non-invasive sleep solution that actively prepares the brain for rest, moving beyond passive tracking.
Performance & Recovery Focus: Currently in pilots with NBA teams and recovery-centric brands like Equinox Hotels, targeting elite athletic and wellness applications.
Target Audience:
Individuals seeking clinically validated, non-drug interventions for sleep issues
Sleep clinics and neurologists offering personalized neurostimulation therapies
Sports and wellness programs prioritizing recovery and cognitive performance
Employers and health plans addressing sleep as part of preventive care
Key Partnerships:
Somnee’s clinical science is supported by research pilots with the NBA Launchpad and Equinox Hotels, validating its use in both high-performance and consumer wellness contexts. On the investment side, Khosla Ventures, TIME Ventures, and the DeVos family have backed Somnee’s continued R&D and market expansion.
Leadership Team:
Somnee is led by CEO Tim Rosa, former CMO at Fitbit, with deep expertise in health tech scale-ups. The founding team includes renowned sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker, neurotech pioneer Dr. Ram Gurumoorthy, and UC Berkeley neuroscientists Dr. Robert Knight and Dr. Rich Ivry. Their combined experience spans sleep science, brain stimulation, and consumer health innovation.
For more information about Somnee and its AI-powered sleep neurotechnology, visit Somnee
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