#247 - Battle of the Brain Chips
The one-minute healthtech roundup, brought to you by SomX.
Hey friends,
This week: It’s brain chip galore, NHS facing backlash and major mental health technology partnerships.
Your friends all listen to podcasts. Feel like you’re in on the conversation by listening to the Healthtech Pigeon podcast ➡️ SomX’s Huw Penson, Hollie Ruda and Andrew Hair dive into the weeks’ healthtech stories. Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
News Bites 🥪
🤝 atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech to Combine Creating a Global Leader in Psychedelic Mental Health Therapies – The cool kids of mental health treatments have joined forces to develop innovative psychedelic treatments. Their combined pipeline features promising, fast-acting therapies designed to be more convenient for patients, because shorter clinic visits are always a win. Are we right, or are we right?
🧠 A Neuralink Rival Just Tested a Brain Implant in a Person – Mr Musk, you’ve got mail! Paradromics, a brain-computer interface startup and Neuralink rival, just took its Connexus device for a quick 10-minute spin inside a human brain. The test, done during epilepsy surgery, confirmed the device could safely record neural activity and with longer trials planned by the end of the year, a certain billionaire might want to keep an eye on this one.
🚺 How does this wearable device easily monitor women’s health markers? – Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed MenstruAI, a wearable device that allows women to easily monitor key health markers using menstrual blood. Attached to a sanitary pad, the device tests for health markers, including signs of inflammation, endometriosis, and gynecological cancers. While it’s not a full-on diagnostic tool, it’s designed as an early warning system to help users decide when to consult a healthcare professional.
🤖 AI test to determine best prostate cancer treatment could save lives and money – Researchers at UCL have cooked up an AI test that figures out which men with high-risk prostate cancer actually need the pricey drug Abiraterone, and which ones can skip it without missing out. Only about 25% truly benefit from the treatment, while the rest are better off with standard treatment.
⏸️ NHS England pauses ‘ground-breaking’ AI project following GP data concerns – NHS England has paused its AI project Foresight after GP leaders discovered patient data, originally collected for Covid research, was being used to train the model, without their knowledge. Naturally, they weren’t thrilled. They’ve now asked NHS England to refer itself to the Information Commissioner and have demanded a full stop on the project while things get sorted.
🩻 Philips launches intelligent 3D imaging in Europe to empower faster stroke care – Philips’ newly CE-marked 3D brain imaging software, SmartCT, is streamlining stroke and neurovascular care. It delivers near-CT clarity in just 8 seconds, reducing delays and improving decision-making. Pigeon is not easily impressed, but Philips? Well done.
💰 Musk's Neuralink raises $650 million in latest funding as clinical trials begin – Pigeon can assure you, we're not on Musk’s payroll. He’s just been all over the news this week! Scouts honour. Anyways, Neuralink has secured $650 million in new funding as it kicks off clinical trials for its brain implant, now being tested in three countries. The device lets people with severe paralysis operate digital and physical devices using just their thoughts.
🤔 From period pain to heart disease, the gender health gap is real; here's how to close it – Women’s health finally got its spotlight with the government's 2022 strategy and innovative health hubs; then came the funding cuts. Despite promising results, many services now face being scrapped before they’ve even had the chance to settle in. Pigeon proposes long-term funding, cross-sector teamwork, and improved health literacy across the board to see real impact. Shouldn’t be too much of a stretch, right?
What to listen to 🔊
Events 📅
Three featured events AGAIN… aren’t you lucky?!
FEATURED: Get in, we’re going to Amsterdam - 1 week until HLTH Europe! - June 16-19th, 2025, Amsterdam
Ok you’re really cutting it fine now. HLTH Europe is JUST 1 WEEK AWAY. It’s Europe’s best health innovation event (trust Pigeon, we go for a good reason - and it isn’t *just* the stroopwaffles) and you won’t want to miss it. Pigeon won’t stop banging on about it until you’ve booked your ticket -HE25_SOMX250 gets lovely 250 euros off your ticket. What are you waiting for?!
FEATURED: SomX Healthtech Talks is back with a bang for a special (and important) conversation - June 30th, 2025, Google Tottenham Court Rd Office, London.
Pigeon was as shocked as everyone else when they arrived (almost) late to April’s event to find snaking queues out of the door - with the line up the SomX team have in store for this one, this is definitely a discussion you’ll want to be a part of. And yes - they’re keeping you guessing for a bit longer because as the saying goes, a little bit of mystery keeps the spark alive ✨
As they continue to work on securing a whole stadium (apparently Bey takes priority atm…) tickets are still super limited, so register your interest ASAP.
FEATURED: The Glastonbury of Healthtech is coming to Oxfordshire! Join us at THE FIX! - September 18th, 2025, Harwell Science Campus
Tickets are flying off the shelves (shelves are a metaphor, but the sales are real) for this healthtech festival like no other. WIth a bunch of new partners onboard, and a host of existing sessions planned (we’re trying to work out what an NHS reverse pitch is!) and a former government health minister on DJ duties (don’t worry, he’s got the chops), it’s probably not one to miss. Use the code SOMX15 for 15% off your ticket price.
London Tech Week
⏰ June 9-13
📍 London
Biotech & Beers
⏰ June 10
📍 Newcastle
HMISS Paris
⏰ June 10-12
📍 Paris
VivaTech
⏰ June 11-14
📍 Paris
Healthtech Innovation & Clinical Safety: A Conversation with Women Leaders
⏰ June 24
📍 Online
Visit the SomX events page or subscribe to SomX’s events roundup to see all of the best upcoming healthtech, biotech and healthcare events.
Opportunities 🕵️♀️
⭐️ Account Manager / Senior Account Manager, SomX — Not that Pigeon is biased or anything, but this is one opportunity you’d definitely want to apply for! SomX are on the lookout for an Account Manager or Senior Account Manager with a passion for health innovation, a strong foundation in content-led communications, and a proven track record of managing integrated campaigns. Above all? Someone who is a storyteller and loves what they do! Sound like you, apply now! Pigeon might even put in a good word if you’re lucky.
🍎 Partnership Development Lead - Health, Apple — The tech powerhouse is on the hunt for someone to take the reigns and lead their business strategies within the healthcare space. So, if you have a deep expertise in developing novel business models and leading partner product engagements, what are you waiting for!?
🩺 Medical AI Specialist, Heidi Health — As much as Pigeon thinks we know about AI, there's always going to be someone more qualified. If that’s you, this opportunity has your name on it. For this role you’ll get to utilise your AI/ML expertise as well as your clinical background to turn clinician needs into reliable, high-impact AI features.
🧑💻 Senior Platform Engineer, Accurx — Do you have experience developing and deploying in a public cloud environment? Are you keen on sharing knowledge and collaborating on Platform engineering solutions? Looking for your next big gig? Well, you’re in luck!
👷 Clinical Safety Officer, Doccla – If you’re a stickler for the rules, Pigeon has a role just for you. Doccla is hiring a Clinical Safety Officer to help ensure their health tech solutions are safe and compliant. If assessing product safety, managing risks, and meeting regulatory standards sounds like your idea of a good time, apply now!
Got news, jobs or events you think is worth coo-ing over? Let us know! Email us: news@healthtechpigeon.com
Healthtech Pigeon is curated and produced by SomX, the communications and creative agency for healthcare. We are clinicians, scientists, creatives and communicators dedicated to serving our healthtech, biotech, pharma and public sector clients with services across strategy, content, PR, design, events and media production. Get in touch to learn more.