In the fast-paced world of neurotechnology, bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and marketable products is a challenge few can master. Aleksandra Karpman is one of those rare individuals who's cracked the code.
With over a decade of experience in brain-computer interface (BCI) development, Karpman has climbed the ranks from neurophysiologist to Head of Product at cutting-edge BioMedical startups. Her secret? An uncanny ability to speak the languages of both science and business fluently.
"In neurotechnology, every discovery has the potential to change lives," the expert says. "But success hinges on our ability to turn scientific concepts into products that solve real patient problems."
Karpman's journey offers a unique window into the challenges and triumphs of bringing neurotechnology to market. This article examines her key projects and approaches to implementing innovations in the field of neurotechnology.
The neurotechnology industry is booming. According to the "Global Neurotechnology Market Report 2021–2026," the market is set to hit $19.3 billion by 2026, growing at an impressive 13% annually. Key areas include neuroprosthetics, neurostimulation systems, and brain-computer interfaces, which are attracting significant attention from both researchers and investors.
However, the path from lab to market in this field is fraught with hurdles, including stringent regulatory requirements and ethical considerations. Despite these challenges, companies are pushing forward, particularly in non-invasive technologies. In this high-stakes environment, professionals capable of translating scientific advancements into practical applications are highly valued in the industry.
From 2019 to 2022, Karpman worked as a Healthcare Product Manager and Head of Scientific Projects at NEIRY, LLC, a leading Russian company specializing in physiological signal-based devices. She quickly rose from healthcare product manager to head of scientific projects.
"NEIRY wasn't just another tech company," Aleksandra explains. "It was a place where we transformed complex neurophysiological data into tools that regular people and businesses could actually use."
NEIRY's products found applications in mental health, industrial safety, neuromarketing research, career guidance, and recommendation services. The company became a leader in non-invasive BCIs, with clients in over 20 countries.
Karpman hit the ground running at NEIRY, developing and initiating clinical studies in partnership with top Russian medical institutions. She also led a collaboration of more than ten teams to develop BCIs with deep learning algorithms for Alzheimer's rehabilitation and surgical applications. One of her standout achievements was conducting a full cycle of five scientific and pilot studies across the country. "These studies, which included work with students in grades 1, 3, and 10, gave us invaluable insights into how our technologies could be applied in education," Karpman notes.
Later, she spearheaded a team of scientists conducting numerous research projects and pilots. "We applied machine learning algorithms to analyze physiological data like EEG, EMG, GSR, and PPG," Aleksandra explains. "This led to the development of key metrics that expanded our product's applications."
Karpman's leadership was instrumental in securing one of Eastern Europe's largest investment rounds for a high-tech startup—approximately $8 million. "This bumped our company valuation to $33 million. It was a huge win for our entire team," she says proudly.
Her role extended beyond research. Karpman developed and executed comprehensive product plans, optimizing integrated development projects and saving 15% of the budget. She also successfully pitched the company's technology, helping NEIRY join the Skolkovo Foundation, a renowned innovation center.
One of NEIRY's breakthrough achievements was the development of an API that allowed developers to access over 25 real-time indicators and metrics of users' brain activity, including raw data. "This opened up new possibilities for creating applications across various fields—from healthcare to the gaming industry," the expert explains.
In 2023, Karpman took on a new challenge as the Head of Product at SUBSENSE Inc. The company is developing the world's first non-invasive, bidirectional brain-computer interface based on nanoparticles. Aleksandra has been pivotal in shaping its direction from day one.
"We are working on advancing human-computer interaction to new levels of efficiency and accessibility," Karpman says. "Our technology uses nanoparticles to stimulate and record neural activity directly in the brain, opening up incredible possibilities in medical treatment, cognitive enhancement, and human-computer interaction."
She led the creation of the product vision, defining its features, applications, and use cases. "We're focusing on helping patients with paralysis, ALS, and Parkinson's disease, aiming to give them the ability to communicate and regain independence. We're also working on applying neurostimulation to treat conditions like Alzheimer's and chronic pain," she explains.
Alexandra built partnerships with leading universities in the U.S. and Europe from the ground up, establishing collaborations with institutions such as UCSC, MIT, and ETH Zurich. "Collaborating with academic institutions keeps us at the forefront of scientific discoveries and helps us adapt them for practical applications," Karpman says.
Aleksandra played a significant role in securing initial investments of about $3 million in the pre-development stage. She also led the development of intellectual property and investment strategies.
The expert personally participated in selecting candidates for key positions, including the Head of R&D and Operational Manager. "Our team is our greatest asset. We're bringing together the best specialists from various fields to create a truly innovative product," she says.
Karpman presented the product at a prestigious BCI conference in Graz, Austria, which led to collaboration offers from renowned scientists and hardware developers. "The interest from the scientific community in our technology confirms we're on the right track," she notes.
"In the next two years, we plan to demonstrate proof-of-concept at in vivo research and move to clinical trials," Karpman shares. "Our ultimate goal is to create a commercially viable product that enhances human cognition and communication."
Her work at SUBSENSE has proven her ability to connect cutting-edge scientific research with practical market needs. "We're striving to make BCIs accessible to a wider range of patients while avoiding the risks associated with surgical intervention," she explains. "This requires close collaboration between neurobiologists, engineers, clinicians, and regulatory specialists. My role is to ensure effective interaction between all participants and direct their efforts towards creating a working product."
"Every day, we face challenges that seemed unsolvable yesterday," Karpman shares. "But that's the beauty of our work—we're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible."
One of the main challenges in Karpman's work at SUBSENSE is bridging the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and practical commercial applications. The concept of using nanoparticles for brain-computer communication initially seemed too futuristic for many investors.
"When we first presented our idea of a non-invasive, nanoparticle-based brain-computer interface, it sounded like science fiction to many," Karpman recalls. "Investors were impressed but skeptical, asking, 'Is this really achievable in the near future?'"
To address these concerns, Karpman developed a strategy to explain the technology's potential in more concrete terms. "We had to learn to communicate not just about the fascinating technology, but about the specific problems we're solving and the intermediate steps we'll take to get there," she explains.
Karpman and her team outlined a series of milestones and intermediate applications that would lead to their ultimate goal. "We showed investors how each stage of our research could yield practical applications, from improved brain imaging techniques to more precise neuromodulation for neurological conditions. This step-by-step approach helped them see the commercial potential at each phase of development."
Another serious challenge was the need to comply with strict regulatory requirements in the development of medical devices.
"Working with BCIs is not just a technological innovation, it's direct interaction with the human brain. There's no room for error here," Karpman emphasizes.
She initiated collaboration with leading experts in neuroethics and regulatory issues at the early stages of development. This allowed them to take into account all safety and ethical requirements from the start rather than adapting the finished product after the fact.
"We're not just following the rules, we're trying to anticipate future standards," says Karpman. "This requires additional effort now but gives us an advantage in the long run."
Despite the ambition of her plans, Karpman remains a realist. "We're not aiming for scientific breakthroughs for the sake of breakthroughs," she emphasizes. "Our main goal is to create technologies that will really improve people's lives. And each step in this direction is a small victory."
In the coming years, Karpman plans to focus on several key areas. First and foremost is the development of personalized neurotechnologies. "Every brain is unique, and our goal is to create technologies that can adapt to the individual characteristics of each user," she explains.
Aleksandra considers the integration of neurotechnology with artificial intelligence to be an equally important direction. In her opinion, the combination of AI and BCI can open up completely new possibilities in processing and interpreting brain signals.
She also sees great potential in expanding the application of neurotechnology beyond medicine in decades. "We're exploring the possibilities of applying our developments in education, professional training, even in creativity," she shares. This could lead to revolutionary changes in how we learn, work, and create.
Thanks to innovators like Aleksandra Karpman, a future without pain and severe neurological diseases is becoming not just a dream but an achievable goal. Her work connects current challenges with future possibilities in medicine and human-computer interaction.
Neurotechnology stands on the brink of a breakthrough, and Aleksandra Karpman is one of those firmly involved in this process. A process that's bringing us closer to a future where technology offers hope to millions of people around the world.
