"We are on the verge of the first human studies"
Interview with Dr. Oliver Bärtl, Managing Director of CorTec GmbH
Neuromodulation could provide therapeutic stimuli for a variety of disease patterns from depression to epilepsy and Alzheimer's. CorTec GmbH, based in Freiburg, which develops the hardware foundation for such medical interventions, has now received the Investigational Device Exemption for a human study on the rehabilitation of stroke patients for the Brain Interchange System. In an interview with Wirtschaftsforum, Managing Director Dr. Oliver Bärtl revealed further possibilities he sees in his technology.
Wirtschaftsforum: Dr. Bärtl, this spring, your technology received FDA approval in the USA as part of an Investigational Device Exemption - what will this milestone enable you to do?
Dr. Oliver Bärtl: The core of our technological approach is to make the brain's electrical signals measurable by placing an implant on the surface of the brain that can wirelessly transmit signals from the brain using an electrode. These data are then processed by algorithms, after which neurostimulation signals are sent back into the brain in a closed-loop system through our device - a technology that is interesting for therapeutic interventions in a variety of diseases, from depression to epilepsy.
After demonstrating the safety of our medical device to the satisfaction of the strict American regulatory authorities through various animal studies, we are currently on the verge of the first human study, which aims to explore the benefits of our technology in rehabilitation measures for stroke patients.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does your technological approach differ from the developments of other market participants - such as Neuralink by Elon Musk?
Dr. Oliver Bärtl: Our system is the only one that can not only transmit signals but also directly stimulate the brain in a targeted manner. In classic deep-brain stimulation, stimulation is largely blind and generates little feedback; the well-known brain-computer interfaces have similar limitations. Thanks to our closed-loop approach and inherently agnostic technology, CorTec is almost predestined for medical studies.
Wirtschaftsforum: Has the pacemaker moment in neurostimulation arrived?
Dr. Oliver Bärtl: I don't want to stick my neck out too far; however, this comparison beautifully illustrates that we are fundamentally faced with the same issues. The first pacemaker was quite 'dumb' and simply administered 100 pulses per minute to its wearer, regardless of whether they were sleeping or on a hiking tour. Later, it was discovered that many external factors need to be considered when intervening on an individual patient basis, eventually leading to the development of highly precise technology, which has long been a standard part of therapeutic interventions. Today, we are at the beginning of this journey in neuromodulation and are starting to progressively consider the varied effects of the environment in the corresponding therapies so that, in the end, a self-regulating, cohesive system emerges.
Wirtschaftsforum: One aspect is the technology – the other is society's openness to the resulting opportunities. Are we ready for it?
Dr. Oliver Bärtl: I believe the current perspective is sometimes divided. Those suffering from a life-threatening or severely debilitating illness are certainly ready to embrace this technology. At the same time, it seems that in Europe, or at least in Germany, the prevailing idea is that this should be considered a last resort.
Of course, there are also many questions that need to be clarified, such as on a technological level, how to improve patient data security. On the other hand, there are likely to be additional applications that aim to enhance human capabilities. To what extent this will be widely accepted remains to be seen.
Wirtschaftsforum: With this background in mind, what are your views on the prospects for CorTec?
Dr. Oliver Bärtl: We live in an increasingly aging society where solutions for medical issues such as dementia and Alzheimer's are becoming more urgent. Being able to help people lead a longer and healthier life is a tremendous motivation that drives our entire team.