Nanochap (暖芯迦)
Chinese name: 杭州暖芯迦电子科技有限公司 (Nanochap Electronics Co., Ltd.) HQ: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China Founded: 2014 Website: nanochap.cn Chairman & Chief Scientist: Yang Jiawei (杨嘉伟)
Overview
Nanochap is a Hangzhou-based neural-interface and biochip company that has developed China’s first high-resolution retinal pathway visual brain-computer interface (BCI). In July 2026, the company’s GCP clinical trial achieved success: a patient blind for nearly 20 years from retinitis pigmentosa regained light perception and could recognise letters and patterns.1
Originally spun out from the University of Melbourne (2014) to develop sensor signal-conditioning ASICs for consumer electronics, the company pivoted in 2015 toward neural interfaces and medical implants. Its product portfolio includes biochips for nerve stimulation (NNC_Pstim320), vital sign detection (EPC001), and biomolecular signal processing (BMS002).
Retinal visual BCI device
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Retinal pathway visual BCI (epiretinal stimulation) |
| Stimulation channels | 320 electrode channels |
| Chip size | 3 mm × 3 mm stimulation module |
| Implant weight | ~1 gram |
| Module thickness | 0.5 mm |
| Electrode diameter | 50 µm |
| Electrode spacing | 100 µm centre-to-centre |
| Electrode type | 3D pillar-shaped (embed into retinal tissue) |
| Grayscale encoding | 256 levels |
| Theoretical VA | 0.1 (Snellen row 1); up to 0.5 with camera magnification |
| Wireless range | 3 cm (single-coil integrated) |
| Expected lifespan | >10 years |
| Encapsulation | Bioactive glass hermetic; laser crack-free welding |
| Fixation | Magnetic (stimulation module on retina + magnetic sheet posterior eyeball) |
| External system | Smart glasses (camera + communication coil) + body-worn processor |
The 3D pillar electrodes achieve zero-distance contact with retinal nerve cells, addressing the gap problem of traditional flat flexible electrodes on the curved retinal surface. The magnetic fixation allows non-traumatic, complete explantation.
Funding
| Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2014 | Spinout | — | University of Melbourne |
| Dec 2018 | Series A | $2.9M | — |
| Sep 2021 | — | — | — |
| May 2026 | Early VC | ¥300M (~$41M) | Legend Capital (co-lead), industrial investor (co-lead), GF Xinde, Caitong Capital, Harvest Capital; Fengnian Capital (existing); Tencent also reported |
Total funding: €40.1M ($44M). Enterprise value: €150–225M (Dealroom signal 71).
Clinical trial (2026)
GCP-compliant clinical trial at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital Eye Center. Patient “Lingling” (pseudonym), 40 years old, RP, blind for nearly 20 years.
- Implant surgery: stimulation module placed in macular region (retinal fundus pathway)
- Patient “saw” on second day post-surgery (team expected 1–2 months training)
- At 1+ month follow-up: could write letters and recognise patterns referencing a screen
- Plan: 30 clinical cases in 2026
With 320 channels, the device exceeds mainstream international invasive visual BCI products (~60 channels) by more than 5×. The entire supply chain is domestically localised in China.
Patents
- CN107224666A — “Neural stimulation electrode and its manufacture method” (2017) — high-density electrode array, semiconductor substrate, glass-filled trenches, flip-chip connection to stimulation chip; wafer-scale production.
- AU2018403776B2 — “Neurostimulator and manufacturing method thereof” (granted AU) — glass substrate, metal pins >15 pins/mm density, bioactive glass hermetic encapsulation.
- 2015 invention patent for “ultra-high-resolution retinal prosthesis and its communication method” (secured by the team pre-company formalisation).
See visual-prosthesis-patents for full patent entries.
Significance
Nanochap represents China’s entry into the high-channel-count visual BCI space, directly competing with international players like science-corp (PRIMA, 378 pixels) and neuralink (Blindsight, cortical). The company’s technological advantages — 5× the channel count of first-generation international devices, 3D pillar electrodes, magnetic fixation, >10-year hermetic lifespan — position it as China’s leading visual BCI candidate. The Legend Capital and Tencent backing signal strategic investor confidence in China’s BCI sector, which Beijing has designated a national priority technology.
Related pages
- retinal-prosthesis — main concept page
- retinal-prosthesis-companies — company comparison schema
- visual-prosthesis-patents — patent entries
- brain-computer-interface — BCI concept page
- science-corp — PRIMA (subretinal photovoltaic, the other active clinical system)
- intellimicro-medical — the other Chinese retinal prosthesis company (epiretinal, IMIE 256)
References
- VCBeat Health. “Nanochap Achieves China’s First High-Resolution Retinal Visual Brain-Computer Interface Breakthrough, Restoring Sight to the Blind.” 2026-07-30.
- Dealroom.co company profile (accessed 2026-09-15).
- Nanochap product page: nanochap.com/brain-machine-interface/HighResolutionRetinalProsthesis-Implant.html