A groundbreaking visual implant developed by a French startup has been acquired for just $4.7 million by Science Corporation, a neurotechnology company founded by Max Hodak, former president of Neuralink and a former collaborator of Elon Musk. The device, known as PRIMA, enables patients with severe vision loss to perceive shapes, read text, and even complete crossword puzzles—marking a major leap in restoring functional sight. The implant is a microelectronic chip placed beneath the retina. It receives visual data through a pair of augmented reality glasses equipped with a camera. The glasses capture the user’s surroundings and transmit the image using invisible infrared light directly to the implanted chip. This light powers the chip’s tiny solar cells and converts visual information into electrical signals that stimulate healthy retinal cells in the macula—the area responsible for sharp, central vision. These signals are then interpreted by the brain as rudimentary vision, displayed in black and white. Patients must also carry a portable image processor to zoom in on objects, enhancing clarity. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show remarkable progress. One patient in the UK was able to read regular-sized book pages—a milestone for someone previously blind. The technology originated over two decades ago at Stanford University, pioneered by laser scientist Daniel Palanker. He discovered that infrared light could simultaneously power the implant and deliver visual data—eliminating the need for wires or batteries inside the eye. Unlike earlier systems such as Argus II, which required wired connections and offered limited resolution, PRIMA operates wirelessly and efficiently. The device was initially developed by Pixium Vision, co-founded by José-Alain Sahel, a vision scientist at the University of Pittsburgh who led clinical testing. However, due to funding challenges, Pixium faced bankruptcy. Science Corporation stepped in, acquiring its assets for $4.7 million. This acquisition allowed Science to skip years of research and clinical trials, accelerating the path to market. Science Corporation, which has raised about $290 million since its 2021 founding, aims to become a major player in medical technology—on par with companies like Apple, Samsung, and Alphabet. “We want to build a large, independent medical tech company that can change the world,” Hodak said. “But to do that, we need to be profitable.” The PRIMA system is now being prepared for commercialization. The company has already applied for regulatory approval in Europe and is in talks with the U.S. FDA. The current version provides about 400 “pixels” of visual input—enough to detect text and large shapes. In a clinical trial involving 38 patients with late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 80% of the 32 patients who completed a one-year follow-up showed clinically meaningful vision improvement. On average, they could read five more lines on a standard eye chart, with the help of image magnification. However, the procedure is not without risks. Of the 38 patients, 19 experienced 26 serious adverse events, including increased eye pressure and retinal bleeding. Most resolved within two months. Six patients were not evaluated—three had died, one withdrew, and two were unable to be tested. The system’s current design requires users to carry a bulky external controller and battery pack. But Science Corporation has already developed a new prototype: a pair of large, integrated sunglasses that house the camera, processor, and power system. “The implant itself is excellent, but we’re making the user experience natural and seamless,” Hodak said. “Now, people can wear it all day without hassle.” While Neuralink is pursuing a different approach—directly stimulating the brain’s visual cortex through implants—PRIMA works by restoring function at the retina, which is an extension of the brain. This makes it a form of brain-computer interface in its own right. Palanker, who continues to lead research on next-generation versions, is working on chips with five times more pixels, which could enable recognition of faces and natural scenes. He’s also developing software to deliver grayscale images and expand treatment to other retinal diseases like Stargardt’s disease. “The acquisition wasn’t about price—it was about survival,” Palanker said. “The product was on the brink of being lost. This was a fire sale, not a celebration. But for me, it was a lucky break. The real challenge now is funding the next phase of development.” With a clear path to market and a team focused on user-friendly design, Science Corporation is poised to bring life-changing vision restoration to patients who once had no hope.