Bio-Electronics: A New Business Controlling Human Organs With Electronic Implants

 

The Google company Verily Life Sciences is teaming up with pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline to develop implants that will fix problems in our organs using electricity.

To do this, the firms are setting up a new company in the UK, called Galvani Bioelectronics, which will receive up to £540 million over the next seven years.

The idea behind bio-electronic implants is to modify nerve signals in ways that will fix or counteract problems in the body – a bit like heart pacemakers and defibrillator implants already do. The plan is to develop tiny implants that can connect to the nerves linked to specific organs, and for these implants to be powered wirelessly and operate automatically.

Wired up

“Many of the processes of the human body are controlled by electrical signals firing between the nervous system and the body’s organs, which may become distorted in many chronic diseases,” said Moncef Slaoui, at GSK, who will chair the board of Galvani Bioelectronics.

As well as stimulating or inhibiting nerve signals, such devices could in theory also monitor natural nerve signal traffic, and act when something goes wrong.

Devices that modify neural circuits do already exist. Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a device that blocks signals along the vagus nerve to treat obesity. Electrodes in the brain have been used in efforts to relieve multiple conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.

But GSK hopes to develop more precise implants. “In 10 years’ time, I think it’s very realistic to imagine that if you have type 2 diabetes, you could go to your specialist to have bio-electronic medical treatment,” said Kris Famm of GSK, who will be president of the new company. “You’d be sent to a surgeon to have keyhole surgery to implant the device, and then go back to the specialist to have it programmed.”

New Scientist

« Cybersecurity Issues Are M&A Deal Breakers
UK Security Agencies Say Mass Internet Spying Is Crucial »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

Watch this webinar to hear security experts from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SANS break down the myths and realities of what an NGFW is, how to use one, and what it can do for your security posture.

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

27 November 2024 | In-Person & Digital | 22 Bishopsgate, London. Business leaders, Innovators & Experts address evolving cybersecurity risks.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Feitian Technologies

Feitian Technologies

Feitian Technologies provides authentication and transaction security products for financial institutions, telecoms, government and leading business enterprises.

Continuum

Continuum

Continuum is the IT management platform company that allows Managed IT Services Providers to maintain and back up on-premise and cloud-based servers, desktops, mobile devices and other endpoints

Maritime Cyber Alliance

Maritime Cyber Alliance

Maritime Cyber Alliance was established in 2017 by Airbus , CSOAlliance , MCSA & Wididi to provide a medium for both public Cyber Safety advice and for businesses to discuss Cyber concerns.

360 Total Security

360 Total Security

360 company is the largest provider of Internet and mobile security products in China.

VXRL

VXRL

VXRL is a Hong Kong-based cybersecurity company. We provide consulting services, penetration testing, and corporate training.

Crosser

Crosser

The Crosser Platform enables real-time processing of streaming or batch data for Industrial IoT, Data Transformation, Analytics, Automation and Integration.

Ksmartech

Ksmartech

Ksmartech provide services related to security and authentication in all areas where the connection of people to objects, and objects and objects is necessary.

Onward Security

Onward Security

Onward Security provides security solutions including network & application assessment, product security testing and security consulting services.

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node is part of a national network designed to foster and accelerate cyber capability and innovation across Australia.

Y-PARC

Y-PARC

Y-PARC is a center of excellence for cybersecurity, precision industries and medtech, fostering innovation and development and support for startups.

Jandnet Recruitment

Jandnet Recruitment

Jandnet Recruitment is a small specialist company working in the IT sector. We recruit across all IT disciplines including cyber security and digital identity.

Stanley Reid & Company (SRC)

Stanley Reid & Company (SRC)

Stanley Reid & Co is an Executive and Technical Search Firm serving the commercial market and the US Intelligence & Defense community. Our areas of expertise include Cybersecurity.

Debevoise & Plimpton

Debevoise & Plimpton

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices in areas including Data Strategy & Security.

PagerDuty

PagerDuty

PagerDuty is the central nervous system for a company’s digital operations. We identify issues in real-time and bring together the right people to respond to problems faster.

Dig Security

Dig Security

Dig Security offers the first data detection and response (DDR) solution, providing real-time visibility, control and protection of your data assets across any cloud.

Sphinx

Sphinx

Sphinx provide advanced security consulting services and cyber solutions to federal and private industry.