STAT

Elon Musk wants to test brain-reading implants in paralyzed patients next year

Elon Musk's startup Neuralink wants to start testing its “brain-machine interface” technology in paralyzed patients by the end of the next year. It has yet to convince the FDA to…
Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO — In front of a crowd of techies packed into a planetarium, Elon Musk strode out on stage, waxed philosophical about achieving symbiosis with artificial intelligence, and made his latest ambitious pronouncement in a career that’s been full of them: His startup Neuralink has developed technology meant to be implanted into the brain that’s designed to allow people to operate computers and smartphones with their thoughts.

With some early animal testing under its belt, Neuralink wants to start human testing of its so-called “brain-machine interface” in paralyzed patients by the end of next year. Notably, the startup has yet to convince the Food and Drug Administration to allow it do so, said Musk, who has tangled with regulators over his other companies Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Company. 

And down the line? Musk wants

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About A Senate Probe Into Novo Pricing, A New UTI Antibiotic, And More
The U.S. Senate health committee is investigating the prices Novo Nordisk charges for its blockbuster medications Ozempic and Wegovy.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About Lilly Buying A Plant, A Pfizer Antibiotic, And More
Eli Lilly agreed to acquire a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin from Nexus Pharmaceuticals to produce injectable medicines amid shortages of Mounjaro and Zepbound.
STAT1 min read
STAT+: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Advisers Beset By Conflicts Of Interest, Report Finds
Advisers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a U.S. government agency tasked with ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials, were beset by conflicts of interest, report finds

Related Books & Audiobooks