Synchron is a neurotechnology company developing minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) founded in 2012. The company is headquartered in New York City with operations in Melbourne, Australia. Synchron's flagship product, the Stentrode, is designed to record neural signals from within blood vessels adjacent to the motor cortex, avoiding the need for open-brain surgery.
- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: New York City, USA
- Operations: Melbourne, Australia
- Funding: Over $60 million (Series B)
- CEO: Thomas Oxley
The Stentrode is a minimally invasive neural interface:
| Specification |
Details |
| Diameter |
4mm (expands to 8mm) |
| Electrodes |
16 electrode contacts |
| Placement |
Motor cortex (via jugular vein) |
| Recording |
Motor cortex neural signals |
| Transmission |
Wireless to external receiver |
- Minimally Invasive: No craniotomy required - implanted via blood vessels
- Bilateral Capability: Can be placed in both brain hemispheres
- Chronic Implantation: Designed for long-term use
- MRI Compatible: Safe for magnetic resonance imaging
- Scalable: Potential for widespread clinical adoption
| Program |
Indication |
Stage |
Status |
| Stentrode |
ALS/Paralysis |
Phase 1 |
Completed |
| Stentrode |
Spinal Cord Injury |
Phase 2 |
Completed |
| Stentrode |
Stroke Rehabilitation |
Pivotal Trial |
Ongoing |
| Next-gen |
Parkinson's Disease |
Discovery |
Preclinical |
- Paralysis: Restoring communication and control of digital devices
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Maintaining independence for patients
- Spinal Cord Injury: Enabling motor restoration
- Stroke: Rehabilitation and motor recovery
¶ COMMAND Trial
| Phase |
Status |
Focus |
| Phase 1 |
Completed |
Safety and feasibility |
| Phase 2 |
Completed |
Device optimization |
| Pivotal Trial |
Ongoing |
FDA approval |
- ALS: Communication for patients with locked-in syndrome
- Spinal Cord Injury: Motor function restoration
- Stroke: Upper limb rehabilitation
- Parkinson's Disease: Movement monitoring (future)
Synchron has raised over $60 million in funding, including:
- Series A: $15 million (2017)
- Series B: $45 million (2021)
- Backed by: NeuroTechnology Investors, M12 (Microsoft Ventures)
- No Brain Surgery: Minimally invasive (vascular approach)
- Reversible: Can be removed if needed
- Less Risk: Lower infection and complication risk
- MRI Safe: Compatible with imaging
- Signal Quality: Lower than fully invasive arrays
- Limited Placement: Only vascular-accessible regions
- Newer Technology: Less clinical validation
- FDA IDE Approval: Received for COMMAND trial
- FDA Breakthrough Device Designation: Granted
- Clinical Trials: Ongoing in US and Australia
- CE Mark: Under review for European market
-
Oxley TJ, et al. Minimally invasive endovascular neural interface. Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. 2021.
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Opie NL, et al. Chronically implanted neural electrodes. Nature Biomedical Engineering. 2022.
Synchron's Stentrode is particularly relevant for neurodegenerative diseases because: