Neuralink moves forward with a clinical study in the UK to test brain implants that aim to help patients with severe paralysis control devices using thought.
Neuralink has announced the launch of a clinical study in Great Britain in collaboration with University College London Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals. The trial will explore how brain chips can support individuals with conditions like spinal cord injury or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in managing digital or physical tools through neural signals.
The study follows Neuralink’s earlier human trials that began in 2024 after addressing safety concerns raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company’s initial application in 2022 was not approved but later cleared for testing.
Five patients with severe paralysis are already using the device, according to the company, which says the implant allows users to interface with devices by thought alone. Neuralink, founded in 2016, has now raised around $1.3 billion, with a recent funding round bringing in $650 million. Media reports suggest the company’s valuation stands at approximately $9 billion.
The current trial in the UK will evaluate the implant’s real-world use and may inform broader adoption for patients with movement disorders. The study adds to growing global interest in brain-computer interface technology for clinical use.
