Neuralink, a neurotechnology company owned by Elon Musk, has claimed to have created a brain chip that treats paralysis and blindness. Musk wants to test the brain chip on patients but has faced a setback in the process. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has denied Neuralink’s request to start human trials. According to employees who spoke with CNBC, Neuralink’s initial request to begin next steps in getting microchips on the market has been rejected.
According to the report, the FDA cited safety concerns over the chip’s lithium battery, the risk of wires migrating to other areas of the brain, and whether the device can be removed from brain tissue safely. Despite the reported setback and some skepticism surrounding the product, Musk has remained determined and optimistic on the advancements of the brain chip.
In a November presentation, Musk showed off monkeys inside the Neuralink laboratory reported to be moving computer cursors with their brains. The chip is meant to restore brain function, creating brain chip interfaces that Neuralink says could help disabled patients move and communicate again, with Musk adding it will also target restoring vision. While Musk said in his November presentation that human trials could begin in as soon as six months, given his request was denied by the FDA, he might have to reevaluate the timeline.