Phosphoenix raises €1.3M to bring brain-implant vision tech to first human trial
What's the deal? Amsterdam-based PhosphoenixDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised €1.3 million in an early-stage round to fund preparations for the first-in-human trial of its neuroprosthetic system for people with profound blindness. The round brought in new backer ROM InWestDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → alongside existing investors TTT Medtech Fund, FIRST FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Innovatiefonds Noord-HollandDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the endgame? Phosphoenix is building a system that bypasses damage to the retina or optic nerve by stimulating the lateral geniculate nucleus, a relay centre in the brain's visual pathway. Its long-term goal is to restore meaningful functional vision to people for whom no effective treatment currently exists.
How it works: At the core is the Fountain Probe, a neural interface with more than 1,000 microelectrodes, implanted using techniques adapted from deep brain stimulation. Preclinical studies have shown neural and behavioural responses consistent with electrically induced visual percepts, the company said.
Why now? The financing supports development of the neurostimulation system and preparations for the first-in-human study, planned with Amsterdam UMCDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. In parallel, Phosphoenix is preparing a Series A round to fund its clinical development program.
What they said: The round provides "strong validation of the progress we have made," said chief executive officer Hans Brons. ROM InWest's Sara Schaafsma called the technology "potentially life-changing" for people living with profound blindness.
The signal: Phosphoenix, a spin-off from the Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, joins a small field of startups betting that implantable neurotechnology can address conditions beyond the reach of conventional medicine. At €1.3 million, this is a modest early-stage step — the real test comes when the probe reaches a human brain.
Read more: biogenerationventures.com
Image credit: Jacobs School of Engineering
