Inbrain raises 14 million to develop graphene-based smart implants

The Barcelona-based startup designs small, smart systems, based on graphene electrodes, that can be implanted in the brain and decode signals from this organ to produce a therapeutic response. This technology can benefit patients with epilepsy or Parkinson's and is expected to revolutionize the treatment of neuronal diseases.

Inbrain Neuroelectronics, which emerged from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and ICREA, has closed a round of 14.35 million euros, led by Asabys Partners and Alta Life Sciences, and with the participation of the German venture capital fund Vsquared Ventures. It has also received follow-on investment from ICF Venture Tech II, an investment fund of the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF). In June 2020, Inbrain received an initial investment from a group of investors led by Asabys Partners and Alta Life Sciences, also including ICF, Finaves (Iese) and BStartup (Banco Sabadell).

The resources obtained in the latest round will allow Inbrain's technology to be applied for the first time in humans and to consolidate the safety of the material used as a new potential standard of care in neurotechnologies. It will do so after validating it in-vitro and in-vivo, and having successfully passed biocompatibility and toxicity tests. In addition, studies in large animals have been completed.

According to figures from the European Brain Council in 2010, between 25% and 35% of patients with a neuronal disease are refractory to pharmacological treatment and end up without an effective therapy. Likewise, existing brain interfaces are based on metals, causing numerous side effects and placing the rejection rate at 50%. The technology developed by the Barcelona-based startup can serve to overcome these current limitations.

Founded in 2019, Inbrain is directed by Carolina Aguilar and was founded by Professor José A. Garrido, Professor Kostas Kostarelos and Dr. Anton Guimerà. The technology development team is made up of neurotechnology experts such as Bert Bakker and Michel Decre.