| Project Detail |
SIGHTED aims to deliver a breakthrough neural implant to restore functional vision in patients who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain autonomy. Building on the ongoing FET-Open NeuraViPeR project (https://www.neuraviper.eu/(opens in new window)) which concludes in February 2025, SIGHTED will advance our proof-of-concept prototype (TRL 3) to a fully validated implant ready for human testing (TRL 5). Concurrently, we will prepare for commercial adoption by securing regulatory clearance to initiate a First-in-Human study, refining our business model, developing a go-to-market strategy, and preparing for payer coverage and reimbursement. The neural implant developed in SIGHTED stimulates the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a thalamic nucleus that relays visual information from the retina to the visual cortex. Pioneered by Prof. Dr. Pieter Roelfsema (Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne University, Paris), SIGHTED’s Scientific Coordinator, the implant features a patented ‘Fountain Probe’ capable of distributing electrodes volumetrically within the target structure. With over 1,000 channels—vastly more than the 8-20 channels of existing implants—the Fountain Probe enables precise interventions for conditions like vision and hearing restoration, brain-computer interfacing (BCI), and neuromodulation therapies. Its high resolution, wide field of view, long-term durability, and low surgical risk make it the first solution to meet the critical needs of blind patients. SIGHTED will help us transition from a prototype to a validated implant for clinical testing. Phosphoenix, a Dutch MedTech SME leading the project, plans to implant the first human patient by early 2027 in a First-in-Human study involving five blind patients. To prepare for a 2032 commercial launch, Phosphoenix will strengthen its IP strategy, secure patents, and explore additional markets beyond blindness, enhancing the Fountain Probe’s commercial potential and positioning it for long-term growth. |
