Neuralink Rival Paradromics Successfully Completes First Human Brain Implant Trial

 Texas-based neurotech firm achieves major milestone in brain-computer interface development; plans clinical trials later this year.

Austin, Texas – In a significant breakthrough for the brain-computer interface (BCI) industry, neurotechnology startup Paradromics has successfully implanted its brain device, Connexus, in a human patient for the first time. The achievement marks a major step forward in the company’s mission to restore communication abilities in individuals with neurological disorders.

The procedure, conducted on May 14, was led by Dr. Matthew Willsey of the University of Michigan, along with Dr. Oren Sagher and a team of multidisciplinary clinicians and engineers. The device was implanted during epilepsy resection surgery—a procedure where brain tissue causing seizures is removed—to better understand how epilepsy affects brain signaling. The implant was safely removed after about 10 minutes.

Founded in 2015 by CEO Matt Angle, Paradromics has spent nearly three years in preclinical studies, primarily testing its technology in sheep. The company’s AI-powered platform translates neural signals into speech, text, or cursor movement, offering potential communication solutions for patients with ALS, stroke, or spinal cord injuries. The company expects its devices to eventually retail for $100,000.

This successful human trial puts Paradromics in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which has already implanted devices in three human patients as of April. While Neuralink may be the more prominent name, Paradromics’ recent advancement signals growing momentum in the field of brain-computer interfaces.

The BCI concept, first coined in 1973 by Jacques Vidal at UCLA, envisions a direct communication channel between the human brain and external digital devices. Since then, BCI has seen remarkable progress—from Duke University’s 2003 monkey robotic arm trials to Matt Nagle’s groundbreaking 2004 experience as the first paralyzed person to control a computer with his thoughts.

Paradromics now plans to launch clinical trials later this year to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of its technology. CEO Matt Angle previously told CNBC that the company aims to receive commercial approval before the end of the decade.

As the race to commercialize BCI technology accelerates, Paradromics’ achievement marks a pivotal moment—not just for the company, but for the future of neurotechnology as a whole.