Elon Musk's Neuralink gets FDA approval for study of brain implants in humans
ABCElon Musk's brain-implant company Neuralink says it has received a green light from the US Food and Drug Administration to kickstart its first-in-human clinical study, a critical milestone after earlier struggles to gain approval. Key points: Neuralink, which was founded in 2016, sought FDA approval for the first time in early 2022 Back then the agency rejected the application, former employees of the company said Elon Musk envisions both disabled and healthy individuals getting surgical implants to cure a range of different conditions On at least four occasions since 2019, Mr Musk has predicted that his medical device company would begin human trials for a brain implant to treat severe conditions such as paralysis and blindness. Yet the company, founded in 2016, only sought FDA approval in early 2022 — and the agency rejected the application, seven current and former employees told Reuters in March. "This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people," Neuralink said in a tweet on Thursday.