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Science Corporation

Neural engineering

Performance

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Developer of an implantable brain-machine interface designed to treat patients with extreme disabilities. The company's device is an advanced optogenetic visual prosthesis for patients with serious blindness due to photoreceptor loss, that uses light sent through a patient's optic nerve to transmit information, enabling doctors to treat serious brain diseases.

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Science Corp is a neural engineering company, founded by Max Hodak, the co-founder and president of Neuralink ($8B valuation). Their first product has enabled them to successfully restore vision to patients with advanced late-stage macular degeneration (blindness) through its development of brain computer interfaces (BCIs) and biohybrid neural solutions. With $160 million in total funding, it ranks as the 2nd most funded BCI venture behind Neuralink. Its flagship product, the Science Eye, aims to restore vision for the blind using optogenetics and microLED technology, while its broader mission includes advancing biohybrid neural interfaces for high-bandwidth brain interaction. The company has published early research demonstrating feasibility and operates a robust R&D pipeline, Science Corp presents a compelling opportunity in the growing neurotech market.

The Deal

  • Round: $100M Series C led by Khosla (large check) at $450M pre-money (oversubscribed)
  • Fees: 6% access fee, 1%/yr mgmt fee, 10-15% carry (check size dependent) 
  • Structure: 1st (cap table) & 2nd Layer SPV options
  • Data Room: Access for larger checks under NDA (financials, partnership info etc.)

Problem

Biotechnology has made enormous strides in the past few decades, yet the translation of cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible products that solve real-world health challenges often lags behind the pace of discovery. Key problems include:

  • Lengthy development cycles for new medical technologies, with complex regulatory pathways and high R&D costs.
  • Fragmentation across academic labs, pharma, and medtech, leading to siloed research efforts and slow cross-pollination of breakthroughs.
  • Scaling challenges once discoveries move beyond proof of concept, especially in areas requiring specialized manufacturing (e.g., implantable devices or new therapeutic platforms).

For patients, this can mean slower access to life-changing (or life-saving) therapies and medical technologies. From a broader perspective, the biotech ecosystem needs more integrated, fast-moving companies that can rapidly prototype, iterate, and bring breakthrough solutions to market. Worldwide, an estimated 4.9 million people live with degenerative retinal conditions such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Stargardt’s disease — leading to severe vision loss or blindness.

Existing therapies offer only partial solutions:

The broader challenge lies in creating high-bandwidth, biohybrid interfaces capable of interfacing with complex neural circuits — vital not only for vision restoration, but also for addressing paralysis, cognitive impairments, and other debilitating neurological conditions.

Solution

On a broad scale, Science Corporation aims to serve as a vertically integrated biotech platform that can accelerate the transition from early-stage research to commercial deployment. By leveraging deep expertise in engineering, biology, and clinical development, they seek to:

  • Unify research disciplines under one roof, combining engineering talent, biology expertise, and clinical partnerships.
  • Shorten the innovation cycle by rapidly iterating on hardware and software platforms for neurotechnology, regenerative medicine, and other advanced therapies.
  • Scale advanced manufacturing in-house or through specialized partnerships to ensure that once a product shows efficacy, commercial-scale production is feasible.

This unified approach promises to deliver life-altering medical and neural technologies faster and more efficiently than conventional biotech pathways.

Currently, Science Corp is primarily dedicated to addressing the challenge of blindness. Specifically targeting the largest patient population currently afflicted by blindness… In degenerative retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa, the photoreceptors (rods and cones) fail, leading to blindness. By stimulating the bipolar cells directly, bypassing the lost rods and cones, visual input can be restored to the brain.

Neuralink Co-Founder's New Rival Company Requires No Hole-Drilling In Skulls

Science Corp offers an integrated “biohybrid neural” approach, combining advanced microfabrication, optogenetics, and neural engineering in a single pipeline:

  1. Subretinal Prosthesis (PRIMA)
  • Acquired from Pixium Vision in April 2024, this photovoltaic chip bypasses damaged photoreceptors and directly stimulates surviving bipolar cells. This acquisition included PRIMA's intellectual property, hardware, and ongoing clinical trials.
  • Paired with AR glasses that project IR light, enabling restored central vision in late-stage macular degeneration.
  • PRIMA is a 2x2mm wireless microchip implanted beneath the retina, paired with augmented reality (AR) glasses that project infrared light patterns. These patterns stimulate surviving retinal cells electrically, bypassing damaged photoreceptors to treat vision loss caused by conditions like retinitis pigmentosa. Unlike Science Corp's own Science Eye, which relies on optogenetics and microLEDs, PRIMA does not require gene therapy, making it a more immediate clinical option.
  • Science PRIMA works by stimulating the remaining cells in the retina
  • The PRIMA system consists of two parts. First, a tiny implanted photovoltaic stimulation array is placed under the retina. Second, a special pair of glasses with a built-in projector sends light signals to the implanted device, enabling it to stimulate the retina.
  • The PRIMA implant builds on decades of research to miniaturize solar technology. It is inserted into the subretinal space where the photoreceptors have degenerated, and electrical stimulation activates the remaining intact neurons to restore vision.

  1. Optogenetic & Biohybrid Interfaces
  • SciOpsX: Gene therapy and microLED-based systems to treat additional retinal diseases.
  • Biohybrid Neural Probes: Lab-grown neurons integrated with microchips, transplanted into the brain to achieve high-fidelity read/write of signals—paving the way for advanced BCIs.

By commercializing the near-term subretinal implant and advancing high-impact R&D, Science Corp aims to restore sight for millions while developing next-generation BCIs to treat a broader spectrum of neurological disorders.

Product

  1. Flagship: The Science Eye (PRIMA)
  2. Core Technology: A 2×2 mm wireless implant under the retina that converts projected IR patterns into electrical signals, stimulating residual retinal cells.
  3. Surgical Procedure: Outpatient, ~$200K per procedure (comparable to $150K–$425K range of other implantables).
  4. Clinical Validation: Phase III trial across 38 patients in Europe restored reading ability and face recognition — unprecedented in macular degeneration therapy.
  5. CE Mark in Europe expected within 12 months; early 2026 HDE approval targeted in the U.S.

Additional Pipeline
Vision
  • SciOpsX (TRL 6) – Next-generation optogenetic approach for vision restoration.
BCI
  • Motor (TRL 6) – High-density implants for advanced motor control in paralysis.
  • Imagination, Memory, Reasoning (TRL 2) – Early-stage R&D on deep-brain interfaces.
Perfusion
  • Vessel K (TRL 4) – Potential solutions for improving blood flow in key organ systems.

Traction

Funding
  • $160 million total raised, including from Fred Ehrsam, Blake Byers, Artis Ventures, and Jed McCaleb — making Science Corp the second-best-funded BCI venture behind Neuralink.
  • Ongoing $100 million Series C led by Khosla Ventures, set to finalize CE submission and accelerate U.S. approvals.
Market & Revenue Projections
  • Potential to reach $775 million in vision-specific sales by 2030, targeting a subset of the $600B global market in outer retinal disease. 500 patients expected in the first two years post-approval, driving $100M revenue.
  • Encompasses approximately 4.9 million affected individuals worldwide, translating to an estimated market value of $600 billion.
Regulatory Pathway
  • CE Mark: 12 months to approval in Europe.
  • FDA HDE: Early 2026 timeline in the U.S.
  • Existing reimbursement codes: Class III CPT (0100T) in the U.S., and Forfait Innovation in the EU.
Infrastructure
  • 21,000+ sq ft research facility in Alameda, CA, plus the Science Foundry MEMS facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.
  • Vertical integration across IC design, animal research, and high-volume fabrication.

Research and IP

  • Proprietary Research & Early IP: The company is building an IP portfolio around novel devices and methods in neural engineering and regenerative biology, laying a strong foundation for future product lines.

News | Science Corporation

Team

Max Hodak (CEO & Founder): Co-founder and former President of Neuralink, recognized for pioneering BCI work. States overarching goal to “engineer experience directly,” bridging neuroscience and advanced bioengineering.

Key Team Members

  • Alan Mardinly and Corey Wolin – Early Neuralink hires, experts in neural engineering.
  • Jed McCaleb (Director) – Founder of Mt. Gox & Stellar; major early investor and strategic partner.
  • Multidisciplinary hires from top research programs in neuroscience, MEMS, and biotech.

Culture & Vertical Integration

  • End-to-end control from circuit design to clinical deployment.
  • In-house animal program enables rapid iteration prior to human trials.

Market / Opportunity

The convergence of biology, data, and engineering sets the stage for transformativeproducts that can meaningfully disrupt traditional biotech and medtech paradigms.

Large and Growing Market: The global biotech industry is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2030, driven by increased demand for novel therapeutics and the rise of personalized medicine. Neurotechnology alone is expected to grow significantly due to an aging population and surging research into neurological disorders.

High-Value Therapeutic Areas: Severe neurological conditions and sensory impairments represent multibillion-dollar markets with limited existing solutions. As evidenced by Science’s revenue projections, a successful therapy or device in these indications can command strong pricing and large market share.

Platform Potential: Successful demonstration in one therapeutic area (e.g., restoring vision) can be expanded to other indications (e.g., spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, severe hearing loss), multiplying the addressable market.

Serviceable Addressable Market:
  • Retinal Diseases
  • AMD: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease that causes a progressive loss of central vision. ****Leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Late-stage “geographic atrophy” severely impairs central vision.
  • The vision loss is concentrated in the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for high-detail vision for tasks like face recognition or reading.
  • In a healthy retina, light travels past the first two layers of cells and is converted by the photoreceptors into bioelectric signals. The photoreceptors then send these signals through the retinal layers to the optic nerve, which carries them to the brain.
  • In a retina affected by AMD, the photoreceptors have degenerated such that light is not converted into bioelectric signals but the other cells are still intact.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa & Stargardt’s: Orphan indications with high severity and minimal therapeutic options. Reimbursement environment supportive, with outpatient reimbursements for advanced implants already established.
  • Beyond Vision: Rapidly expanding neurotech sector, including motor BCI, advanced cognitive implants, and potential consumer applications. U.S. policies encouraging innovation in biotech and “frontier technologies,” providing tailwinds for domestic development.

Competition

With PRIMA as its cornerstone, Science Corp is poised to capture a meaningful share of this $600 billion market, contingent on successful clinical validation and scalability of its subretinal stimulation technology.

  • Subretinal vs. Epiretinal Devices: Science Corp’s subretinal PRIMA uniquely targets bipolar cells beneath the retina, matching natural pathways more effectively than epiretinal implants on top of the retina (e.g., older Argus II systems).
  • Other BCI Ventures
    • Neuralink – High-profile cortical implants. Currently focusing on motor disorders.
    • Blackrock Neurotech – Established research partner for invasive BCIs.
    • Limited direct competition in restoring central vision for late-stage AMD.
    • Gene Therapies / Complement Inhibitors: Narrowly targeted to early or specific genetic forms of disease. Struggle to address broad swaths of advanced degeneration.
  • Science Corp VS. NeuralinkScience Corp and Neuralink, while both working on brain-computer interfaces, have several key differences in their approaches:
    1. Non-invasive vs. Invasive: Science Corp focuses on non-invasive technologies that don't require drilling holes in the skull, while Neuralink's approach involves implanting devices directly into the brain.
    2. Photonics vs. Electrodes: Science Corp uses photonics to transmit data through the optic nerve, whereas Neuralink relies on electrodes to interface with the brain.
    3. Targeted Application: Science Corp's initial focus is on developing a visual prosthesis (Science Eye) for treating specific forms of blindness, while Neuralink has a broader initial focus on various neurological conditions.
    4. Gene Therapy Component: Science Corp's approach combines gene editing with implant technology in their Science Eye project, adding light-sensitive proteins to optic nerve cells.
    5. Implant Location: Science Corp's device is designed to be implanted in the eye, specifically a thin-film microLED display laid over the retina, while Neuralink's implant is placed in the brain.
    6. Development Timeline: Science Corp is taking a more measured approach to development and human trials, avoiding a "race" to implant in humans, whereas Neuralink has faced delays in obtaining FDA approval for human trials.

“Max Hodak, the founder of Science Corp., has raised $160 million in total funding, putting it second only to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, six years after co-founding the company and just a year after dumping Musk, Futurism reported.

Why Now

Science Corporation represents a significant opportunity in the rapidly evolving field of neurotechnology, specifically through their pioneering work in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The human nervous system remains one of medicine's most significant frontiers, with millions of patients worldwide suffering from devastating neurological conditions that have few or no effective treatments. Conditions resulting in vision loss, cognitive impairment, and mobility limitations represent enormous medical challenges with profound impacts on patient quality of life.

Current therapeutic approaches often fail to address the underlying neural mechanisms or provide only marginal improvements in function. Traditional pharmaceutical interventions frequently fall short for conditions involving complex neural pathway disruptions, while existing medical devices lack the sophisticated interface capabilities needed to effectively restore lost neurological functions

Additionally, the development pathway for neurotechnology has historically been fragmented, with researchers and clinical innovators facing significant barriers in translating promising concepts into viable therapeutic solutions due to manufacturing constraints, regulatory complexity, and technological limitations. This has created a substantial gap between the theoretical potential of neuroscience research and practical applications that can meaningfully improve patient outcomes in the real world.

The challenge is particularly acute in sensory restoration, where existing approaches providelimited functional recovery and often involve invasive procedures with significant risks. Similarly, mobility limitations caused by neurological damage or disease remain inadequately addressed by current technology, leaving patients dependent on basic assistive devices rather than solutions that directly interface with neural pathways. These conditions not only diminish quality of life but also impose enormous economic burdens on healthcare systems and caregivers, creating a pressing need for transformative approaches that can restore fundamental capabilities to affected individuals.

In conclusion, there are three primary driving factors:

  • Convergence of Technologies: Advances in AI, computational biology, gene editing, and microfabrication create a perfect storm for new medtech solutions that simply weren’t feasible a decade ago.
  • Increasing Neurological Disease Burden: As lifespans increase, so do the prevalence and economic impact of neurological disorders. There is both urgency and willingness to invest in breakthrough technologies.
  • Regulatory Pathways Evolving: Regulatory agencies, recognizing unmet clinical needs, are creating faster approval tracks (e.g., the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program), offering an opportunity for agile companies to shorten time-to-market.
  • Massive, underserved markets in neurotech and regenerative medicine. The global biotech industry is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2030, driven by increased demand for novel therapeutics and the rise of personalized medicine. Neurotechnology alone is expected to grow significantly due to an aging population and surging research into neurological disorders.
  • Timely market and regulatory environment conducive to rapid product development.
  • Cutting-edge technology and a pipeline of novel products.
  • Better entry price than Neuralink for an equally competitive opportunity.

Conclusion & Outlook

Science Corp sits at the forefront of a multi-billion-dollar shift in neurotechnology, driven by:

  1. Immediate Commercial Potential: Pivotal data supporting European CE and U.S. HDE approvals to restore central vision in late-stage AMD, where no comparable alternative exists.
  1. Longer-Term Upside: Proprietary biohybrid neural platforms enabling more sophisticated brain-computer interfaces for paralysis, cognition, and sensory enhancement.
  1. Expert Leadership & Infrastructure: Led by Max Hodak (ex-Neuralink) with a track record in advanced neural devices. In-house MEMS foundry and closed-loop animal research accelerate R&D and shield IP.
  1. Robust Funding & Market Timing: Over $160M raised; $100M Series C round (led by Khosla Ventures) fueling a 12-month runway to European approval. As aging demographics and technology convergence drive unprecedented demand for vision restoration and neuro-interfacing solutions, Science Corp’s vertical integration and strong clinical data position it to dominate a $600B+ global market. Near-term revenues from the Science Eye device, plus the moonshot potential in biohybrid BCIs, present a compelling investment for those seeking both commercial traction and transformative innovation in neurotech.

Round

$100M Series C @$450M

Investors

Date

15 March

Questions

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Memo

Science Corp is a neural engineering company, founded by Max Hodak, the co-founder and president of Neuralink ($8B valuation). Their first product has enabled them to successfully restore vision to patients with advanced late-stage macular degeneration (blindness) through its development of brain computer interfaces (BCIs) and biohybrid neural solutions. With $160 million in total funding, it ranks as the 2nd most funded BCI venture behind Neuralink. Its flagship product, the Science Eye, aims to restore vision for the blind using optogenetics and microLED technology, while its broader mission includes advancing biohybrid neural interfaces for high-bandwidth brain interaction. The company has published early research demonstrating feasibility and operates a robust R&D pipeline, Science Corp presents a compelling opportunity in the growing neurotech market.

The Deal

  • Round: $100M Series C led by Khosla (large check) at $450M pre-money (oversubscribed)
  • Fees: 6% access fee, 1%/yr mgmt fee, 10-15% carry (check size dependent) 
  • Structure: 1st (cap table) & 2nd Layer SPV options
  • Data Room: Access for larger checks under NDA (financials, partnership info etc.)

Problem

Biotechnology has made enormous strides in the past few decades, yet the translation of cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible products that solve real-world health challenges often lags behind the pace of discovery. Key problems include:

  • Lengthy development cycles for new medical technologies, with complex regulatory pathways and high R&D costs.
  • Fragmentation across academic labs, pharma, and medtech, leading to siloed research efforts and slow cross-pollination of breakthroughs.
  • Scaling challenges once discoveries move beyond proof of concept, especially in areas requiring specialized manufacturing (e.g., implantable devices or new therapeutic platforms).

For patients, this can mean slower access to life-changing (or life-saving) therapies and medical technologies. From a broader perspective, the biotech ecosystem needs more integrated, fast-moving companies that can rapidly prototype, iterate, and bring breakthrough solutions to market. Worldwide, an estimated 4.9 million people live with degenerative retinal conditions such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Stargardt’s disease — leading to severe vision loss or blindness.

Existing therapies offer only partial solutions:

The broader challenge lies in creating high-bandwidth, biohybrid interfaces capable of interfacing with complex neural circuits — vital not only for vision restoration, but also for addressing paralysis, cognitive impairments, and other debilitating neurological conditions.

Solution

On a broad scale, Science Corporation aims to serve as a vertically integrated biotech platform that can accelerate the transition from early-stage research to commercial deployment. By leveraging deep expertise in engineering, biology, and clinical development, they seek to:

  • Unify research disciplines under one roof, combining engineering talent, biology expertise, and clinical partnerships.
  • Shorten the innovation cycle by rapidly iterating on hardware and software platforms for neurotechnology, regenerative medicine, and other advanced therapies.
  • Scale advanced manufacturing in-house or through specialized partnerships to ensure that once a product shows efficacy, commercial-scale production is feasible.

This unified approach promises to deliver life-altering medical and neural technologies faster and more efficiently than conventional biotech pathways.

Currently, Science Corp is primarily dedicated to addressing the challenge of blindness. Specifically targeting the largest patient population currently afflicted by blindness… In degenerative retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa, the photoreceptors (rods and cones) fail, leading to blindness. By stimulating the bipolar cells directly, bypassing the lost rods and cones, visual input can be restored to the brain.

Neuralink Co-Founder's New Rival Company Requires No Hole-Drilling In Skulls

Science Corp offers an integrated “biohybrid neural” approach, combining advanced microfabrication, optogenetics, and neural engineering in a single pipeline:

  1. Subretinal Prosthesis (PRIMA)
  • Acquired from Pixium Vision in April 2024, this photovoltaic chip bypasses damaged photoreceptors and directly stimulates surviving bipolar cells. This acquisition included PRIMA's intellectual property, hardware, and ongoing clinical trials.
  • Paired with AR glasses that project IR light, enabling restored central vision in late-stage macular degeneration.
  • PRIMA is a 2x2mm wireless microchip implanted beneath the retina, paired with augmented reality (AR) glasses that project infrared light patterns. These patterns stimulate surviving retinal cells electrically, bypassing damaged photoreceptors to treat vision loss caused by conditions like retinitis pigmentosa. Unlike Science Corp's own Science Eye, which relies on optogenetics and microLEDs, PRIMA does not require gene therapy, making it a more immediate clinical option.
  • Science PRIMA works by stimulating the remaining cells in the retina
  • The PRIMA system consists of two parts. First, a tiny implanted photovoltaic stimulation array is placed under the retina. Second, a special pair of glasses with a built-in projector sends light signals to the implanted device, enabling it to stimulate the retina.
  • The PRIMA implant builds on decades of research to miniaturize solar technology. It is inserted into the subretinal space where the photoreceptors have degenerated, and electrical stimulation activates the remaining intact neurons to restore vision.

  1. Optogenetic & Biohybrid Interfaces
  • SciOpsX: Gene therapy and microLED-based systems to treat additional retinal diseases.
  • Biohybrid Neural Probes: Lab-grown neurons integrated with microchips, transplanted into the brain to achieve high-fidelity read/write of signals—paving the way for advanced BCIs.

By commercializing the near-term subretinal implant and advancing high-impact R&D, Science Corp aims to restore sight for millions while developing next-generation BCIs to treat a broader spectrum of neurological disorders.

Product

  1. Flagship: The Science Eye (PRIMA)
  2. Core Technology: A 2×2 mm wireless implant under the retina that converts projected IR patterns into electrical signals, stimulating residual retinal cells.
  3. Surgical Procedure: Outpatient, ~$200K per procedure (comparable to $150K–$425K range of other implantables).
  4. Clinical Validation: Phase III trial across 38 patients in Europe restored reading ability and face recognition — unprecedented in macular degeneration therapy.
  5. CE Mark in Europe expected within 12 months; early 2026 HDE approval targeted in the U.S.

Additional Pipeline
Vision
  • SciOpsX (TRL 6) – Next-generation optogenetic approach for vision restoration.
BCI
  • Motor (TRL 6) – High-density implants for advanced motor control in paralysis.
  • Imagination, Memory, Reasoning (TRL 2) – Early-stage R&D on deep-brain interfaces.
Perfusion
  • Vessel K (TRL 4) – Potential solutions for improving blood flow in key organ systems.

Traction

Funding
  • $160 million total raised, including from Fred Ehrsam, Blake Byers, Artis Ventures, and Jed McCaleb — making Science Corp the second-best-funded BCI venture behind Neuralink.
  • Ongoing $100 million Series C led by Khosla Ventures, set to finalize CE submission and accelerate U.S. approvals.
Market & Revenue Projections
  • Potential to reach $775 million in vision-specific sales by 2030, targeting a subset of the $600B global market in outer retinal disease. 500 patients expected in the first two years post-approval, driving $100M revenue.
  • Encompasses approximately 4.9 million affected individuals worldwide, translating to an estimated market value of $600 billion.
Regulatory Pathway
  • CE Mark: 12 months to approval in Europe.
  • FDA HDE: Early 2026 timeline in the U.S.
  • Existing reimbursement codes: Class III CPT (0100T) in the U.S., and Forfait Innovation in the EU.
Infrastructure
  • 21,000+ sq ft research facility in Alameda, CA, plus the Science Foundry MEMS facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.
  • Vertical integration across IC design, animal research, and high-volume fabrication.

Research and IP

  • Proprietary Research & Early IP: The company is building an IP portfolio around novel devices and methods in neural engineering and regenerative biology, laying a strong foundation for future product lines.

News | Science Corporation

Team

Max Hodak (CEO & Founder): Co-founder and former President of Neuralink, recognized for pioneering BCI work. States overarching goal to “engineer experience directly,” bridging neuroscience and advanced bioengineering.

Key Team Members

  • Alan Mardinly and Corey Wolin – Early Neuralink hires, experts in neural engineering.
  • Jed McCaleb (Director) – Founder of Mt. Gox & Stellar; major early investor and strategic partner.
  • Multidisciplinary hires from top research programs in neuroscience, MEMS, and biotech.

Culture & Vertical Integration

  • End-to-end control from circuit design to clinical deployment.
  • In-house animal program enables rapid iteration prior to human trials.

Market / Opportunity

The convergence of biology, data, and engineering sets the stage for transformativeproducts that can meaningfully disrupt traditional biotech and medtech paradigms.

Large and Growing Market: The global biotech industry is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2030, driven by increased demand for novel therapeutics and the rise of personalized medicine. Neurotechnology alone is expected to grow significantly due to an aging population and surging research into neurological disorders.

High-Value Therapeutic Areas: Severe neurological conditions and sensory impairments represent multibillion-dollar markets with limited existing solutions. As evidenced by Science’s revenue projections, a successful therapy or device in these indications can command strong pricing and large market share.

Platform Potential: Successful demonstration in one therapeutic area (e.g., restoring vision) can be expanded to other indications (e.g., spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, severe hearing loss), multiplying the addressable market.

Serviceable Addressable Market:
  • Retinal Diseases
  • AMD: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease that causes a progressive loss of central vision. ****Leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Late-stage “geographic atrophy” severely impairs central vision.
  • The vision loss is concentrated in the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for high-detail vision for tasks like face recognition or reading.
  • In a healthy retina, light travels past the first two layers of cells and is converted by the photoreceptors into bioelectric signals. The photoreceptors then send these signals through the retinal layers to the optic nerve, which carries them to the brain.
  • In a retina affected by AMD, the photoreceptors have degenerated such that light is not converted into bioelectric signals but the other cells are still intact.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa & Stargardt’s: Orphan indications with high severity and minimal therapeutic options. Reimbursement environment supportive, with outpatient reimbursements for advanced implants already established.
  • Beyond Vision: Rapidly expanding neurotech sector, including motor BCI, advanced cognitive implants, and potential consumer applications. U.S. policies encouraging innovation in biotech and “frontier technologies,” providing tailwinds for domestic development.

Competition

With PRIMA as its cornerstone, Science Corp is poised to capture a meaningful share of this $600 billion market, contingent on successful clinical validation and scalability of its subretinal stimulation technology.

  • Subretinal vs. Epiretinal Devices: Science Corp’s subretinal PRIMA uniquely targets bipolar cells beneath the retina, matching natural pathways more effectively than epiretinal implants on top of the retina (e.g., older Argus II systems).
  • Other BCI Ventures
    • Neuralink – High-profile cortical implants. Currently focusing on motor disorders.
    • Blackrock Neurotech – Established research partner for invasive BCIs.
    • Limited direct competition in restoring central vision for late-stage AMD.
    • Gene Therapies / Complement Inhibitors: Narrowly targeted to early or specific genetic forms of disease. Struggle to address broad swaths of advanced degeneration.
  • Science Corp VS. NeuralinkScience Corp and Neuralink, while both working on brain-computer interfaces, have several key differences in their approaches:
    1. Non-invasive vs. Invasive: Science Corp focuses on non-invasive technologies that don't require drilling holes in the skull, while Neuralink's approach involves implanting devices directly into the brain.
    2. Photonics vs. Electrodes: Science Corp uses photonics to transmit data through the optic nerve, whereas Neuralink relies on electrodes to interface with the brain.
    3. Targeted Application: Science Corp's initial focus is on developing a visual prosthesis (Science Eye) for treating specific forms of blindness, while Neuralink has a broader initial focus on various neurological conditions.
    4. Gene Therapy Component: Science Corp's approach combines gene editing with implant technology in their Science Eye project, adding light-sensitive proteins to optic nerve cells.
    5. Implant Location: Science Corp's device is designed to be implanted in the eye, specifically a thin-film microLED display laid over the retina, while Neuralink's implant is placed in the brain.
    6. Development Timeline: Science Corp is taking a more measured approach to development and human trials, avoiding a "race" to implant in humans, whereas Neuralink has faced delays in obtaining FDA approval for human trials.

“Max Hodak, the founder of Science Corp., has raised $160 million in total funding, putting it second only to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, six years after co-founding the company and just a year after dumping Musk, Futurism reported.

Why Now

Science Corporation represents a significant opportunity in the rapidly evolving field of neurotechnology, specifically through their pioneering work in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The human nervous system remains one of medicine's most significant frontiers, with millions of patients worldwide suffering from devastating neurological conditions that have few or no effective treatments. Conditions resulting in vision loss, cognitive impairment, and mobility limitations represent enormous medical challenges with profound impacts on patient quality of life.

Current therapeutic approaches often fail to address the underlying neural mechanisms or provide only marginal improvements in function. Traditional pharmaceutical interventions frequently fall short for conditions involving complex neural pathway disruptions, while existing medical devices lack the sophisticated interface capabilities needed to effectively restore lost neurological functions

Additionally, the development pathway for neurotechnology has historically been fragmented, with researchers and clinical innovators facing significant barriers in translating promising concepts into viable therapeutic solutions due to manufacturing constraints, regulatory complexity, and technological limitations. This has created a substantial gap between the theoretical potential of neuroscience research and practical applications that can meaningfully improve patient outcomes in the real world.

The challenge is particularly acute in sensory restoration, where existing approaches providelimited functional recovery and often involve invasive procedures with significant risks. Similarly, mobility limitations caused by neurological damage or disease remain inadequately addressed by current technology, leaving patients dependent on basic assistive devices rather than solutions that directly interface with neural pathways. These conditions not only diminish quality of life but also impose enormous economic burdens on healthcare systems and caregivers, creating a pressing need for transformative approaches that can restore fundamental capabilities to affected individuals.

In conclusion, there are three primary driving factors:

  • Convergence of Technologies: Advances in AI, computational biology, gene editing, and microfabrication create a perfect storm for new medtech solutions that simply weren’t feasible a decade ago.
  • Increasing Neurological Disease Burden: As lifespans increase, so do the prevalence and economic impact of neurological disorders. There is both urgency and willingness to invest in breakthrough technologies.
  • Regulatory Pathways Evolving: Regulatory agencies, recognizing unmet clinical needs, are creating faster approval tracks (e.g., the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program), offering an opportunity for agile companies to shorten time-to-market.
  • Massive, underserved markets in neurotech and regenerative medicine. The global biotech industry is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2030, driven by increased demand for novel therapeutics and the rise of personalized medicine. Neurotechnology alone is expected to grow significantly due to an aging population and surging research into neurological disorders.
  • Timely market and regulatory environment conducive to rapid product development.
  • Cutting-edge technology and a pipeline of novel products.
  • Better entry price than Neuralink for an equally competitive opportunity.

Conclusion & Outlook

Science Corp sits at the forefront of a multi-billion-dollar shift in neurotechnology, driven by:

  1. Immediate Commercial Potential: Pivotal data supporting European CE and U.S. HDE approvals to restore central vision in late-stage AMD, where no comparable alternative exists.
  1. Longer-Term Upside: Proprietary biohybrid neural platforms enabling more sophisticated brain-computer interfaces for paralysis, cognition, and sensory enhancement.
  1. Expert Leadership & Infrastructure: Led by Max Hodak (ex-Neuralink) with a track record in advanced neural devices. In-house MEMS foundry and closed-loop animal research accelerate R&D and shield IP.
  1. Robust Funding & Market Timing: Over $160M raised; $100M Series C round (led by Khosla Ventures) fueling a 12-month runway to European approval. As aging demographics and technology convergence drive unprecedented demand for vision restoration and neuro-interfacing solutions, Science Corp’s vertical integration and strong clinical data position it to dominate a $600B+ global market. Near-term revenues from the Science Eye device, plus the moonshot potential in biohybrid BCIs, present a compelling investment for those seeking both commercial traction and transformative innovation in neurotech.
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