Grey Matter Neurosciences licenses Sunnybrook focused ultrasound technology
Sunnybrook Research Institute has licensed advanced focused ultrasound technology for neuromodulation to Grey Matter Neurosciences. The technology holds transformative potential in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases and disorders.
Grey Matter, a start-up company created to commercialize SRI’s focused ultrasound technology, has secured $14 million in seed financing, with proceeds designated for the development of a unique ultrasound headset and its assessment in clinical trials in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The financing was led by the Wittington Innovation Fund, with participation from Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners, Ontario Centre of Innovation, and Ontario Brain Institute.
The technology licensed by Grey Matter was invented by focused ultrasound pioneer Dr. Kullervo Hynynen and his team at Sunnybrook Research Institute. Focused ultrasound is unique among neuromodulation modalities in that it can be used to non-invasively and precisely target structures deep in the brain, offering a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The Sunnybrook technique is further differentiated by its ability to operate without the need for external image guidance, making it more accessible and enabling its application in non-hospital settings.
“Sunnybrook is a world-leading site for the development and clinical assessment of focused ultrasound technologies,” says Dr. Andy Smith, president and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “SRI’s latest technology, which builds on this legacy of excellence, is unparalleled in its combination of accuracy and portability, positioning it to underpin office- and even home-based treatment devices.”
The funding will support advanced research on focused ultrasound neuromodulation, build a first-in-class product, and establish the safety and feasibility of the technology in a clinical trial enrolling patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Among other things, investigators will assess the ability of the transcranial focused-ultrasound device to sustainably improve cognitive performance, including memory and concentration.
Development of the licensed technology was generously supported by the Weston Family FUS Initiative and our incredible donor community.
Read the full release from Grey Matter Neurosciences.
