Work so far has focused on building and validating the Fountain Probe implant, generating early scientific evidence, and preparing the pathway toward clinical testing.
A key technical achievement has been the development of a new prototype of the Fountain Probe, together with improved surgical tools that increase implantation precision and reliability. In parallel, a new processing workflow for the flexible polyimide material used in the probe has been established in Europe, supporting more robust and scalable device manufacturing.
Early preclinical studies in non-human primates are providing important proof-of-concept results. The probe was implanted with high precision. Mapping of visual responses shows that the probe can access a wide area of the visual field, and electrical stimulation has been shown to produce localized visual percepts (phosphenes), supporting the underlying scientific approach.
Alongside this technical and scientific progress, the project has established the foundations required for clinical translation. A Quality Management System has been implemented, the Clinical Investigation Plan for First-in-Human testing has been drafted, and preparatory work on biocompatibility assessment is ongoing to ensure regulatory readiness.
In parallel, work on the business and implementation side has continued, including development of a business plan and model, as well as an early health economic assessment to understand potential value in healthcare systems. Together, these activities support preparation for future clinical studies and long-term translation toward patient use.
Overall, the project has moved from early design toward an integrated system with demonstrated preclinical functionality and a clear pathway toward clinical validation.
