Epia Neuro launches with bidirectional BCI for stroke rehabilitation — first-in-human planned Lenox Hill Hospital 2026
Summary
Epia Neuro officially launched on April 2, 2026 with a minimally invasive bidirectional "read/write" brain-computer interface designed for stroke rehabilitation and cognitive decline. Founded by Michel Maharbiz (Berkeley neural dust pioneer and former iota Biosciences founder) and Gil Mandelbaum, Epia's device replaces approximately 2% of skull with the implant in under an hour without penetrating brain tissue. A dual-phase therapy supports both acute rehabilitation and long-term assistive living through integration with a motorized glove and AI support. First-in-human demonstrations are planned at Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Neurosurgery in New York later in 2026, with FDA IDE submission to follow.
Why it matters
Epia Neuro entering the stroke BCI field adds a serious team — Maharbiz invented neural dust and sold iota Biosciences to Astellas — to what is becoming a competitive stroke BCI landscape alongside CorTec's FDA Breakthrough Designation. Stroke affects 690,000 Americans annually with 60,000 potentially eligible for device intervention, making it the largest untapped BCI indication by patient volume.
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