Coherence Neuro secures $45 million for brain cancer implant technology

Coherence Neuro has secured $45 million in a Series A funding round co-led by the OpenAI Startup Fund and Founders Fund. The San Francisco-based startup is developing SOMA, a proposed brain implant designed to monitor and treat glioblastoma tumors by reading electrical signals and adjusting stimulation as activity changes.

The system consists of a button-sized implant paired with a wearable device for power and data management. While the company is preparing for its first long-term human trials and seeking FDA breakthrough device designation, SOMA remains investigational and is not yet approved for human use. Current research includes the CIPHER study, which uses a temporary probe during surgery to assess safety and basic performance.

The investment highlights growing interest from major AI entities in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Coherence CEO Ben Woodington noted a synergy between AI labs and BCI developers, stating that capturing neural data is essential for training models and optimizing treatments. This follows OpenAI’s earlier investment in Merge Labs, a BCI venture focused on ultrasound technology.