Neurotechnology Startups and Executives Head to San Francisco for 15th Annual Neurotech Leaders Forum
Executives from several promising startup and emerging neurotechnology firms will be presenting at the 15th annual Neurotech Leaders Forum, to be held in San Francisco November 2-3, 2015. The two-day management and investment conference features sessions devoted to new technologies such as deep-brain stimulation, noninvasive brain stimulation, brain-computer interfaces, neuro assessment systems, and neuroprosthetics. The sessions offer an exclusive forum for executives and entrepreneurs to interact with investors, technologists, and potential partners who are working to expand the neurotech industry into new areas.
The first day of the conference is devoted to implanted neurotech devices, while the second day is devoted to noninvasive stimulation, brain sensing and diagnostic systems, and consumer neurotech devices. The keynote speaker on November 2 is Dr. Carlos Peña, director of the FDA division of neurological and physical medicine devices. The keynote speaker on November 3 is Dr. A.K. Pradeep, founder and CEO of Smilables and a pioneer in the consumer neurotech industry. He was the founder of NeuroFocus, a neuromarketing firm acquired by Nielsen in 2013.
Emerging vendors of implantable neurotech devices presenting at the conference include SPR Therapeutics, which developed the Smartpatch peripheral nerve stimulation system for pain, and ImThera Medical, which developed a stimulation device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Early-stage firms in the brain sensing and rehabilitation markets include Neuro Assessment Systems, which has developed the NeuroScreen system for assessing concussion and psychiatric disorders such as depression, NICOM Therapeutics, a San Francisco neuroscience company working with brain-based biomarkers, and DynoFit, whose DOTs system allows patients to re-imagine physical therapy as a video game. Startup firms in the consumer neurotech space include Nervanix, which has developed an EEG-based system for the learning industry, and Halo Neuroscience, which will soon begin marketing a transcranial direct-current (tDCS) headset for the consumer market.
Other speakers at the conference include Dan Rizzuto from the University of Pennsylvania, who will give an update on his work on DARPA’s restoring active memory program, Robert Greenberg, chairman of retinal prosthesis manufacturer Second Sight, and Melissa Masters from Battelle, who will speak on a panel devoted to cybersecurity and privacy issues.
A unique new session entitled “Tracing Our Roots: How Neurotech Mergers Have Transformed the Industry,” looks back at the beginnings of the neurotechnology industry and examines the impact of mergers that have taken place over the years. Panelists include Daryl Kipke, founder of NeuroNexus, which merged with Greatbatch in 2012, and Jeremy Koff, a veteran neurotech industry consultant and nephew of Alfred Mann.
Another session, entitled “Exploring Our Future: Emerging Trends in Brain Neuromodulation,” features talks by former International Neuromodulation Society president Elliot Krames and retired neurosurgeon and industry consultant Kewal Jain.
The Gold sponsor of the 2015 Neurotech Leaders Forum is Micro-Systems Technology. Stellar Technologies is the Silver sponsor. Venture capital firms participating in the conference include Action Potential Venture Capital, Aphelion Capital, Bay City Capital, Talu Ventures, Sanderling Ventures, and Life Science Angels.
For more information on the Neurotech Leaders Forum, contact Neurotech Reports at 415 546 1259. The preliminary agenda is online at www.neurotechreports.com/pages/nlfagenda.html.
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