Epia Neuro launches with a skull-mounted brain implant for stroke recovery
The San Francisco start-up, led by former iota Biosciences CEO Michel Maharbiz, pairs a brain interface with a motorized glove to help stroke survivors regain hand function.
Epia Neuro, a San Francisco brain-computer interface company, has come out of stealth with a device aimed at one of the most common causes of long-term disability: stroke. The company is led by Michel Maharbiz, who previously ran the neural interface company iota Biosciences.
How it works
After a stroke, many people still produce brain signals linked to the intention to move a hand, even when the hand no longer responds. Epia’s implant sits within the skull, detects those intention signals and uses them to drive a motorized grip-assist glove. The company says the device:
- can be placed in under an hour,
- is recharged wirelessly through a headset, and
- is designed to be replaceable or upgradeable later.
Epia describes it as a “read/write” interface: it can both record from and stimulate the brain. It is meant to support rehabilitation soon after a stroke and then longer-term daily assistance once formal rehab ends. The company says it may later target cognitive decline.
What’s next
According to the company, first-in-human demonstrations are planned for later in 2026 with the neurosurgery department at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. No human results have been published yet.
Why it matters
Most BCI headlines focus on paralysis from spinal cord injury or ALS. Stroke affects far more people, so a practical, minimally invasive device for stroke recovery could reach a much larger market. Epia joins companies such as Neurolutions and CorTec in focusing on stroke.
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