MintNeuro's Triumph: Secures Three ARIA Awards for Innovative Neural Technology Advancements

MintNeuro's Triumph in the ARIA Awards

In a remarkable achievement, MintNeuro has garnered three significant funding awards from the UK government's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). These awards total an impressive £17 million and are dedicated to pioneering advances in neurotechnology designed for clinical applications. This funding positions MintNeuro as a leader in the development of innovative chip-scale neurotechnologies, aiming to improve treatment efficiencies for various neurological conditions.

Aiming for Advancements in Neurotechnology

MintNeuro stands at the forefront of semiconductor technology, particularly focused on creating low-power, minimally-invasive neural implants. The three funded projects will harness this technology, accelerating its incorporation into clinical practices. The funding comes as part of ARIA's £69 million Precision Neurotechnologies programme, aimed at supporting groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.

1. Precision 4D Control of Cortical Circuit Function

Led by Andrew Jackson from MintNeuro and Newcastle University, this £8.2 million project involves innovative collaboration with distinguished institutions like the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. This project is focused on enhancing brain stimulation technology through data-driven and AI-enhanced techniques. The intention is to accurately target specific neural populations within cortical circuits, a leap forward that may lead to effective treatments for conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

2. The Brain Mesh - A Distributed Network Interface

Another groundbreaking project, led by Jacob Robinson from Motif Neurotech, involves the development of Brain Mesh, which aims to create a network of ultra-small, wireless neural implants. With funding of £4.7 million, the project envisions each millimeter-sized device as part of a scalable system designed to monitor and modulate brain activity precisely, ultimately offering new solutions in treating severe mental health disorders, including depression.

3. Minimally Invasive Multiplexed Temporal Interference Technology

The third project, led by Nir Grossman of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, received £4.1 million to develop a minimally invasive brain stimulation network designed to activate multiple brain regions without surgical intervention. By leveraging multiplexed temporal interference, the project aims to introduce targeted neuromodulation capabilities for numerous neurological disorders.

Key Perspectives on the Funding

Jacque Carolan, Programme Director for ARIA's Precision Neurotechnologies programme, expressed high regard for MintNeuro's leadership and innovation, acknowledging the company’s integral role in securing a notable amount of successful funding applications. This praise emphasizes MintNeuro's critical position in the UK’s neurotechnology advancement landscape.

MintNeuro Co-Founder and CEO Dorian Haci reflected on the significance of this funding, highlighting its potential to revolutionize ways to interface with the brain, ultimately leading to substantial medical advancements in areas where treatments remain insufficient.

A Vision for the Future

With these projects, MintNeuro aims to redefine how neurotechnological advancements are approached, combining cutting-edge semiconductor technology with innovative clinical applications. Co-Founder and CTO Tim Constandinou added that these breakthroughs are supported by MintNeuro's modular integrated circuit platform, designed for a range of neurological applications including treatment for epilepsy and movement disorders.

As a company founded from Imperial College London, MintNeuro has established itself as a pioneering force uniting semiconductors and neurotechnology. Its extensive expertise in chip design and focused innovations signify a transformative shift towards more efficient and accessible neural implants. The successful execution of these ARIA-funded projects could magnify progress in treating neurological disorders, setting a new standard in medical technology.

For further details on these projects and ARIA's funding opportunities, please visit ARIA's website.