Investments in Innovative Cancer Detection Technology
The venture capital division of OpenAI, alongside Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, is making significant strides by investing in Coherence Neuro, a startup dedicated to the development of a brain implant aimed at detecting and treating cancer. This influx of capital is part of an initial funding round totalling $45 million for Coherence and underscores the escalating interest of technology firms in brain data.
Ben Woodington, the CEO and co-founder of Coherence, points out a “growing synergy” between large AI laboratories and companies manufacturing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). He emphasises the importance of collecting data to train superior models that can optimise treatment methods. “AI companies appear to agree with this thesis: that this data source will prove invaluable,” Woodington asserts.
He further elaborates that AI serves as an “ideal use case” for BCIs, as developers of such devices produce massive datasets that are beyond human analytical capabilities. AI models can assist in interpreting raw neural data and linking it to actions, such as moving a computer cursor or generating synthesised speech.
Prominent Leaders Backing Brain-Related Ventures
In January, OpenAI revealed plans to invest directly in a new brain-computer interface company called Merge Labs, co-founded by its billionaire CEO, Sam Altman. Merge Labs emerged from relative obscurity with an initial funding of $252 million, aimed at developing ultrasound technology capable of decoding brain information. At that time, OpenAI stated its commitment to financing Merge Labs, believing that BCIs would “create a natural and human-centric way for anyone to seamlessly interact with AI.” The name Merge Labs reflects a prevalent notion in Silicon Valley that humanity will eventually merge with AI.
Thiel’s venture capital firm has also supported Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, as well as CTRL-labs, which developed a wristband that translates neural signals from arm and hand movements, a company acquired by Facebook in 2019.
Coherence’s Approach to Cancer Treatment
Unlike other initiatives focusing on restoring functionality for paralysed individuals, San Francisco-based Coherence is pioneering AI models to decode subtle electrical signals associated with brain tumours. The company claims to have already identified these signals in animals, allowing them to ascertain whether cancer is growing, shrinking, or recurring. The team is now striving to translate these discoveries into human research, with the long-term goal of conducting clinical trials.
This summer, Coherence briefly tested the recording capabilities of its implant in the brains of three individuals undergoing brain tumour removal surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia. The implant was in place for approximately 30 minutes before removal, allowing for an initial safety check. Coherence plans to evaluate the recording and stimulation capabilities of the device in an additional seven patients.
Future Prospects and Ethical Considerations
The implant is designed to deliver gentle electrical stimulation to inhibit tumour growth, with the ambition of enabling the device to learn how to detect cancer-associated signals and provide real-time treatment. Coherence intends to utilise the new funding to initiate a clinical trial aimed at long-term implantation of the device in patients with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. The company also aims to develop implants for treating cancers in other areas of the body.
Ian Hathaway, a partner at the OpenAI Startup Fund, lauded Coherence’s innovative approach to developing a data-driven cancer therapy, expressing pride in supporting their compelling mission.
Data Privacy Assurances from Coherence
Woodington has assured that OpenAI will not have access to Coherence’s data, stating, “There is nothing in the contracts or agreements that implies we will share any brain data or other health data we generate.” This stands in contrast to OpenAI’s relationship with Merge Labs, where they indicated intentions to collaborate on foundational scientific models and cutting-edge tools to expedite progress.