A biotechnology company, Neuralink, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, closed a Series D financing round of $280 million.
The lead investor was Founders Fund, Peter Thiel’s fund, which has backed SpaceX, Stripe, Paxos and other major organisations.
Neuralink was founded in 2016 in California with the involvement of Musk. The company develops implantable brain–computer interfaces that enable direct communication with a range of devices.
The company did not specify how the funds will be used. However, the primary aim is to help people with paralysis or other neurological conditions. Neuralink’s technologies allow interaction with computers via neural activity.
The project has its own team of surgeons who are currently training on accurate models of potential patients’ heads.
Following the funding announcement, the company also announced new openings. Neuralink is seeking engineers, IT specialists and cybersecurity experts.
Earlier, the company faced criticism for testing its technology on animals. In May 2023, several US senators wrote a letter calling for a proper investigation.
Until recently, Neuralink conducted tests on monkeys and pigs. In 2021, scientists demonstrated how a macaque played the old video game Pong using a brain chip.
In May this year, Neuralink received approval FDA to conduct clinical trials in humans.
In January, Neuralink posted the position of director of clinical trials.
In the same month, Elon Musk pledged to prevent a machine uprising.