Science Corporation, a neurotechnology firm founded by former Neuralink president Max Hodak, has officially begun human testing of its PRIMA vision-restoration system. The company confirmed that the first patient diagnosed with Stargardt disease—a genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss—has received the implant.

The PRIMA system is designed to bypass damaged photoreceptors in the eye, using a sub-retinal chip to stimulate the remaining neural pathways. By doing so, the device aims to restore a degree of functional vision to those who have lost it due to macular degeneration or similar retinal conditions. Max Hodak announced the milestone during the TechCrunch Disrupt event, framing the achievement as a critical step in the company’s broader mission to advance brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.

While the company has positioned this as a breakthrough in medical technology, the long-term efficacy and safety of the device remain to be determined through ongoing clinical trials. The procedure represents a shift for Hodak, who previously co-founded Neuralink, as he pivots toward clinical applications for vision restoration. The company has not yet released detailed data regarding the patient's visual recovery or the specific duration of the implant's functionality, though the announcement signals that the technology has moved from laboratory testing into the clinical phase.