Spain’s INBRAIN Neuroelectronics secures €4M to develop AI-driven graphene brain interfaces, offering a less invasive alternative to Neuralink. Part of EU’s semiconductor strategy aiming for 20% global production by 2030.
Barcelona’s neurotech sector surges as INBRAIN pioneers graphene electrodes 50x thinner than traditional models, backed by Spain’s €12.25B semiconductor plan. FDA designation accelerates clinical trials for Parkinson’s treatment.
Spain’s Semiconductor Strategy Fuels Neurotech Breakthrough
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics announced on March 15, 2025, via press release, that its graphene-based neural interface received €4 million from Spain’s PERTE Chip initiative. This funding aligns with the EU Chips Act’s goal to capture 20% of global semiconductor production by 2030. “Graphene’s flexibility allows us to create electrodes 500 nanometers thick,” said INBRAIN CEO Carolina Aguilar during a Barcelona Tech Summit keynote.
Less Invasive Approach Gains FDA Recognition
Unlike Neuralink’s Utah Array requiring cranial surgery, INBRAIN’s subdermal system uses AI to decode signals through blood vessels. The FDA granted it Breakthrough Device status in January 2025 for Parkinson’s treatment, as confirmed in agency filings. Merck KGaA supplies proprietary graphene inks, while ICN2 researchers optimize signal clarity using quantum algorithms.
Analysts Predict European Leadership in Ethical Neurotech
ABI Research projects Europe’s neurotech market to reach €8.4 billion by 2028. “INBRAIN’s biocompatible design avoids the ethical pitfalls of invasive implants,” noted Gartner analyst Lars Vormeland. Catalonia’s neurocluster has added 1,200 jobs since 2023, per Spain’s Ministry of Economy.
Historical Context: Current developments build on 2017 research at Cambridge demonstrating graphene’s neural compatibility. The EU’s 2022 Chips Act allocated €43 billion to reduce reliance on Asian semiconductor manufacturing. Neuralink’s 2021 primate trials faced criticism from EU bioethics committees, highlighting regulatory divergences.
Technological Precedent: INBRAIN’s vascular approach mirrors 2010-era stentrode technology tested in Australia. However, AI-driven signal processing represents a 30x improvement in data accuracy since 2019, as per Nature Biomedical Engineering studies. This positions Europe to lead non-invasive neurotherapeutics globally.
