INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has announced a step forward in its long‑running collaboration with Merck, highlighting a new bidirectional, “rice‑sized” graphene BCI chip and a fresh push toward commercialization, including a speech‑decoding clinical trial.
The collaboration between INBRAIN and Merck was first established in 2021, with the goal of developing graphene‑based bioelectronic therapies for serious chronic diseases. This framework is now shifting from high‑level R&D into product‑oriented development, with Merck signaling commercialization intent around INBRAIN’s BCI‑Tx platform and its latest device iteration.
At the center of the update is a compact, bidirectional BCI chip that combines graphene neural interfaces with integrated electronics to both record and stimulate brain activity in a closed loop. The chip is designed to decode complex neural signals - such as those involved in speech - and then deliver precisely targeted stimulation, with AI‑assisted algorithms adjusting parameters in real time.
Clinically, the new focus is on a speech‑decoding trial that builds directly on INBRAIN’s recent first‑in‑human work with graphene brain implants and interim positive findings in neurological patients. Earlier studies demonstrated that graphene arrays can capture high‑frequency gamma activity relevant for language and motor control, and the new trial is positioned as a step toward BCI‑based communication aids powered by the miniaturized chip.
This news aligns with INBRAIN’s broader scaling moves - such as its 2024 Series B round and manufacturing partnership with imec - which aim to bring graphene neural interfaces to commercial volumes.
