Ben Woodington is the cofounder and CEO of Coherence Neuro. Coherence's is building the SOMA-1, a brain computer interface (BCI) that is designed to treat Glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer). Coherence's cancer focus sets them apart from other BCI companies like Neuralink and Synchron. Ben joins Brom Rector on the podcast to discuss:
0:00 - Intro
1:38 - What does BCI (brain-computer interface) actually mean?
3:55 - The deadly brain cancer that Coherence is treating
8:01 - How can you treat cancer with electricity?
9:54 - Coherence’s billion dollar comp
12:52 - How does the Coherence device actually work?
19:00 - How MRI makes brain computer interface development difficult
20:30 - Ben’s startup journey
21:30 - How implants are more convenient than drugs
24:55 - Is neurotech getting overhyped?
28:04 - Are the obvious ideas taken?
29:00 - What will enable the next generation of BCIs?
30:30 - What is the best dimension along which to analyze BCIs?
33:36 - Will people have multiple BCIs simultaneously?
35:45 - Is it easier to get a device approved by the FDA than a drug?
40:15 - When is Coherence’s first trial?
42:00 - It’s capital allocators all the way down (clip)
44:20 - Advice for PhD students considering starting a company
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