OpenAI and Founders Fund back Coherence Neuro's $45M brain implant

Coherence Neuro raised $45 million led by the OpenAI Startup Fund and Peter Thiel's Founders Fund to develop SOMA, an implant that records tumor signals and delivers electrical stimulation. The device has been tested in only three glioblastoma patients for about 30 minutes each, so efficacy remains unproven.

• The $45M round was led by OpenAI Startup Fund and Founders Fund
• SOMA records tumor signals and delivers targeted electrical stimulation
• Testing covered three patients for roughly 30 minutes during surgery
• Coherence plans a chronic implant trial and FDA breakthrough status