In 2016, businessman and billionaire investor Elon Musk launched Neuralink, a controversial brain implant startup that could have an impact on spine and neurology patients.
Since its debut, Neuralink has reached both setbacks and milestones, including recently completing its first human implant.
A timeline of Elon Musk's dive into neurology:
2019
1. In July, Tesla founder Elon Musk hired Matthew MacDougall, MD, a practicing neurosurgeon, to participate in a new project to develop a brain-computer interface technology and advance treatment for brain disorders.
2020
1. In August, Elon Musk debuted the Neuralink surgical robot during a presentation.
2021
1. Mr. Musk initially prepared to implant the first Neuralink system in human patients by 2022. The devices were still awaiting FDA approval, but were safely used in monkeys.
2. Three spine surgeons weighed in on the possible efficacy of Neuralink for patients.
3. Neuralink's president and co-founder, Max Hodak, stepped down from the company.
4. Neuralink earned $205 million in series C funding from investors including Vy Capital, Google Ventures, Valor Equity Partners and Craft Ventures.
2022
1. Neuralink's competitor, Synchron, a company also developing brain implants, began clinical trials in humans ahead of Neuralink.
2. Experts expressed feeling skeptical over Mr. Musk's company and his plans.
2023
1. Neuralink underwent an investigation over allegations it unsafely packaged and transported materials with infectious pathogens at research facilities at the University of California Davis.
2. In May, Neuralink received FDA approval for human trials.
3. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine on May 26 released a statement urging Elon Musk and his company Neuralink to pivot clinical trials for a brain implant and instead look at noninvasive brain-interface options that don't come with risks of surgical complications.
4. Neuralink earned a $280 million series D funding round in August.
5. In September, the company began recruiting patients for its clinical trials. Patients with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis qualified for treatment.
2024
1. In January, Mr. Musk's company completed its first human implant. The patient is recovering well and initial results "show promising neuron spike detection," Mr. Musk said in a Jan. 29 post on X.
2. Mr. Musk introduced Telepathy, the first Neuralink product. It will let users control their phone or computer by thinking. The first users will be people who lost use of their limbs.