California-based start-up Epia Neuro has launched to develop intent-driven brain-computer interfaces (BCI) designed to restore function after stroke and address cognitive decline.

The company is advancing a proprietary neural interface platform that translates brain signals into digital commands for rehabilitation and assistive therapies.

Epia Neuro’s lead product is a dual-phase stroke therapy that supports both initial recovery and long-term assistive living. The system combines a minimally invasive “read/write” BCI with AI-driven support to help survivors translate neural intent into functional movement. Epia Neuro plans to conduct first-in-human system demonstrations this year at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

Michel Maharbiz, Chief Executive Officer of Epia Neuro, said the system interprets neural intent in real time to provide practical, everyday assistance. He stated that the company intends to start with stroke recovery before expanding into other neurological conditions and addressing the needs of an ageing population.

The technology utilises a proprietary implantable interface designed for surgical scalability. The device is implanted within the skull in under an hour without piercing the dura. It remains externally invisible and is charged through a non-invasive headset. The platform supports both sensing and stimulation at the cortex and deep in the brain. It is compatible with deep brain stimulation approaches where clinically appropriate.

Epia Neuro estimates that 60,000 stroke survivors annually in the United States could be eligible for its products. The company is led by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in neuroscience and engineering. Initial clinical validation will focus on motor impairment before the company expands its footprint to address broader neurological disorders.