Kevin Tracey returns to the podcast to give an update about his work at the Feinstein Institutes, the field of bioelectronic medicine and exciting vagus nerve clinical trials underway
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
Release Date: 03/13/2023
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we sit down with , Chief Business Officer of , to explore a groundbreaking approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea. Lunosa is developing a self-expanding, injectable neurostimulator that aims to replace invasive facial surgeries with a minimally invasive, high-impact solution — tapping into a $10 billion market. Chad also reflects on his time at , a pioneering neuromodulation company that saw both innovation and controversy. He shares insights from testifying against Stimwave’s former CEO, lessons learned from the company’s collapse, and how those experiences shape...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this special on-location episode recorded in Leuven, Belgium, we sit down with the co-founders and technical leaders of — (CEO), (CTO), and (CSO). The team shares their journey developing a high-density, intracortical visual prosthesis aimed at restoring vision for the blind. From developing reliable insertion technology to achieving long-term biocompatibility in nonhuman primate models, ReVision Implant is at the forefront of neurotech innovation. Tune in to hear about their challenges, breakthroughs, and what’s next in the race to cure blindness through brain stimulation. This...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we speak with , CEO and co-founder of , a contract research organization helping Medtech and Biopharma startups slash months off their clinical timelines. With a focus on Latin America, Bioaccess enables early feasibility and first-in-human trials to be conducted faster, more affordably, and with high-quality data suitable for FDA and EU submissions. Julio shares how their global site network—built over 20 years—helps startups navigate regulatory hurdles, reduce costs, and de-risk innovation, all while improving patient lives in emerging markets. This episode is sponsored...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, we’re joined by , CEO of , a consulting firm that specializes in helping MedTech companies navigate the complex journey from concept to commercialization. With over two decades of experience across regulatory strategy, product development, and market access, Nathan shares invaluable insights into the critical steps for MedTech startups and established companies looking to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Tune in as we discuss the unique challenges of the neurotech industry, strategic consulting for MedTech ventures, and how Nunex is...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, we welcome Dr. Eugene Daneshvar, founder of Black Swan Intellectual Property (BSIP), a boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property for neurotech and medtech innovations. With a background in biomedical engineering and law, Eugene has a unique perspective on protecting the cutting-edge ideas that drive the future of healthcare technology. After years of working at a larger firm, Eugene founded BSIP to provide more accessible, fair, and transparent pricing for IP services, moving away from the traditional hourly billing model. In...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we welcome , a leading expert in ASIC design and professor at the , Germany. With a distinguished career in microelectronics, Dr. Ortmanns has contributed extensively to the development of integrated circuits for biomedical applications. He shares insights into the critical role of ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) design in advancing neurotech implants, focusing on low-power, high-speed circuits that are essential for optimizing the performance and reliability of these devices. Dr. Ortmanns also discusses the challenges and future of circuit integration in...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan Jiracek engages in an insightful dialogue with , founder and CEO of . The discussion covers Cognixion's pioneering augmented reality headset with EEG sensing, designed to enhance communication for individuals with speech and motor challenges. Andreas describes the journey from creating a speech augmentation device to developing a versatile platform, the Axon-R, which is now being utilized by health systems and researchers for various clinical applications. They explore the platform's form factor, capabilities, and its role in empowering...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan speaks with , the Director of Education Outreach for the and a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami. They discuss the Miami Project's work, particularly in spinal cord injury research and neuroprosthetics. Topics include clinical trials, combining therapies, regulatory challenges, and the importance of rehabilitation in conjunction with therapeutic technologies. 00:00 Introduction to the Neural Implant Podcast 00:16 Meet David McMillan: Director of Education...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
I n this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Ladan welcomes and from , an engineering services company based in Uruguay. They discuss their work in firmware, hardware, and software development for medical devices, emphasizing their specialization in wireless communications and test automation. They also explain the benefits of contract engineering, the challenges they face, and highlight an exciting project involving an injectable neurostimulator. The conversation covers the history of neurotechnology development in Uruguay, the process and dynamics of working with clients, and...
info_outlineNeural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
Today's guest is from Blackrock Microsystems. While we've featured Blackrock guests before, Stephen's appearance today is driven by his podcast, , where neurotech-inspired movies are reviewed and discussed. Top 3 Takeaways: "Our goal for the podcast isn't necessarily to be overly technical, requiring a neuroscience degree to understand. We're often deep in the subject matter and may get a bit jargony, but broadly, we aim to be accessible without pretending to be accomplished neuroscience researchers." “Due to the subject's nature, movies dealing with neuroscience themes...
info_outlineKevin Tracey returns to the podcast to give an update about his work at the Feinstein Institutes and the work at SetPoint Medical.
Top 3 Takeaways:
- "Two years we discovered that a drug called Famotidine, which is sold as a generic drug Pepcid AC is actually a pharmacological or a drug-based vagus nerve stimulator. And we proved first in mice that famotidine placed directly in very small amounts placed directly in the brains of mice activates the vagus nerve. And this in turn turned off cytokine storm, which of course is a big problem in Covid 19"
- "A company that I've co-founded, Setpoint Medical, is currently deep into clinical trials in the United States called ResetRA, which is on clinical trials.gov or on the SetPoint website for rheumatoid arthritis patients. And that trial is enrolling many patients up to, I think 250 patients will be studied according to the websites and we're hoping that goes very well. And we're hoping, I'm hoping that leads to FDA approval for vagus nerve stimulation in the US in the coming days or coming in the coming months"
- "I think we're very close now to vagus nerve stimulation becoming a reality for millions of patients. And I, I hope, and I see a time when patients have the. Of choosing vagus nerve stimulation as a simple, safe therapy instead of dangerous, expensive drugs with black box warnings that are minimally effective."
0;30 "Do you wanna introduce yourself and talk about some of your work, especially as neuromodulation pertains to the immune system?"
2:45 "So the last time when we talked it was 2020. So pandemic, everything was upside down. But then you were telling me before we started recording that it was also especially busy for you at that time. So what were you up to around then?"
6:00 What were the quantitative takeaways of the Famotidine Covid trials?
8:15 "Why didn't it become standard practice?"
11:00 "You're saying the famotidine has this effect on the vagus nerve. Does this mean we no longer need vagus nerve stimulators? Can we just take Pepcid, AC?"
15:00 Do you want to talk about the Bioelectronic Medicine Summit?
17:30 What were some of the highlights of the Summit?
19:30 "You mentioned some interesting results. Is that something you can share now or is that something that we should be on the lookout for?"
21:30 "You were also featured recently in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, what was that like and what were the articles about?"
23:15 "So what's exciting you now for 2023 and what's on the horizon for you for the next few years?"
27:15 "Is there anything that we didn't talk about that you wanted to mention?"