The brain is a computer: Max Hodak's Science wins European approval for a sight-restoring implant
Key points
Key takeaways from No Priors interview with Science founder and CEO Max Hodak (August 2026):
Prima cleared in Europe. Science received CE marketing approval in July 2026 for Prima, a retinal prosthesis for patients blinded by macular degeneration — a tiny chip implanted under the retina, paired with laser-projector glasses that bypass dead photoreceptors. First commercial sales begin within weeks.
A proof that the approach works. Trial patients filled in sudoku and crossword puzzles and read books — the first time a form-vision image has been restored in a blind patient's mind's eye. The current version is black-and-white "like looking through a straw"; the roadmap adds grayscale depth and at least red and green.
Founding thesis: the brain is a computer. Hodak, formerly of Neuralink, argues that treating the brain as a computer yields big effect sizes medicine rarely achieves with small-molecule drugs — comparing Prima's impact to cochlear implants.
Acquiring the state of the art. Science acquired French company Pixium, whose retinal-stimulation work (originally invented at Stanford) was the field's leading approach; Hodak calls the deal a clear win two years on.
Three-part pipeline. Beyond vision, Science is developing biohybrid neural interfaces (engrafting living neurons) and a perfusion-medicine program called Vessel — together aimed at a broad revolution in medicine over 10-15 years.
Substrate independence. Hodak frames the long-term goal around "substrate independence" for the brain — getting vision, hearing, balance and motor signals in and out — and sees cardiovascular disease and cancer as attackable through this device-led approach.
A tech company, not biotech. Science raised mostly from tech rather than biotech investors; Hodak cites the "platonic representation hypothesis" — that AI models and brains show strikingly similar internal geometry — as evidence the field is on the right track.
Read more: Science
