📋 Tender Overview
Grant agreement ID: 101335243
EC signature date
22 October 2026
Start date
1 November 2026
End date
30 April 2028
Objective
Brain machine interface (BCI) aims at modifying brain activities by activating or inhibiting neurons. BCI based on electrodes have often failed because they generate fibrotic reactions. The partners develop the sonogenetic therapy for the distant activation of neurons by ultrasounds (US) with very high spatiotemporal resolution. It relies on the ectopic expression of a mechanosensitive ionic channel via gene therapy to render neurons sensitive to US. A first application is to restore vision in blind patients by imprinting US images of visual scenes in the visual cortex.
After a first proof of concept (POC) in rodents, the partners have obtained convincing results in their NeuroSonoGene ERC synergy showing the distant activation of neurons in the visual cortex of non-human primates. The clinical transfer is not included in this ERC synergy. Therefore, this SonoClin project aims at developing the path toward a first in human for sonogenetic therapy to restore vision. To avoid a too complex implantation of an ultrasound stimulator, this first in human proposes: 1) to open the skull on the visual cortex for injecting AAV viral vectors to allow expression of the mechanosensitive ionic channels in cortical neurons, 2) To stimulate the cortical neurons with US from an external stimulator applied on the skin through an artificial US translucent skull.
The SonoClin project aims at providing the POC for this external cortical sonogenetic stimulation through an artificial US translucent skull in non-human primates.
In parallel to this scientific objective, we will define all the steps and costs leading to the authorization for such a clinical trial: 1) the AAV manufacturing and safety evaluation, 2) the design of a US probe holder and clinical US stimulating machine, 3) the business plan for the creation of a company carrying the clinical trial.
The SonoClin project will establish the path for the clinical transfer of sonogenetic therapy in the context of visual restoration.
