TechCapsules

Colossal Biosciences reportedly in talks to raise new capital at $20B–$30B valuation

Colossal Biosciences, Dallas‑based de‑extinction startup, is reportedly negotiating a new financing round that could value the five‑year‑old company at $20 billion to $30 billion, Axios said. The firm, which last year announced plans to resurrect the dire wolf, has begun generating revenue through contracts with U.S. government and United Arab Emirates, the latter contributing $60 million. It has spun out three subsidiaries: Breaking, which tackles plastic waste; Form Bio, a computational biology platform that raised $30 million; and Astromech, an AI‑driven modeling firm valued at $2 billion. Recent initiatives include adding bluebuck antelope as a sixth target species and partnering with University

How Closed-Loop BCIs Will Treat Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD

A perspective review in Trends in Cognitive Sciences proposes a roadmap for “cognitive” brain‑computer interfaces (BCIs) that move beyond motor restoration to treat psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and OCD. The authors argue that unlike motor BCIs, which decode signals from a compact, stable motor cortex, cognitive BCIs must monitor diffuse, dynamically reorganizing networks across multiple brain regions. They advocate merging real‑time intracranial decoding with adaptive neuromodulation to create closed‑loop systems that detect emerging dysfunctional states and deliver precisely timed electrical or neurochemical stimulation. Existing hardware—multisite intracranial recordings, adaptive deep‑brain stimulation and high‑resolution neurochemical sensors—provides a foundation. The review highlights the vastly larger patient pool for psychiatric conditions, spurring interest from academia, startups and commercial BCI firms.

💡 By linking state detection to immediate, targeted stimulation, closed‑loop cognitive BCIs could transform treatment from symptom‑based medication to precise, on‑demand neural regulation.

UP to Build AI & Quantum Hubs in Noida, Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh will develop two technology hubs under the PRAGATI project, covering 75 acres in Noida and a site in Lucknow. The Noida hub will host robotics testing, prototyping, AI compute infrastructure, GPU clusters, motion‑capture labs, an AI data centre, startup incubation and co‑working spaces, while Lucknow will focus on applied AI, GovTech, healthcare AI, biosciences and agri‑biotech. The state has earmarked ₹100 crore for fiscal 2026‑27 and projects more than ₹2,000 crore of gross value addition and over 100,000 jobs within five years. The initiative aims to link startups, researchers, investors and academia to speed commercialisation of quantum computing, semiconductor design, biotechnology and defence technologies. Proximity to Jewar Airport, a freight corridor and an electronics manufacturing base are cited as advantages.

💡 Concentrating AI, quantum and biotech ecosystems in Uttar Pradesh seeks to draw talent and capital away from established Indian tech corridors, reshaping the national innovation landscape.

NHS trust showcases the new £3m robotic system carrying out surgeries at…

North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) unveiled a £3 million da Vinci Xi robotic‑assisted surgical system at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The system, operated from a console, allows surgeons to perform key‑hole procedures with enhanced precision and reduced physical strain. Colorectal consultant Chris Rao highlighted the technology’s benefits, noting that surgeons feel less exhausted after long operations. NCIC aims to deploy additional robots at West Cumberland Hospital and other sites, targeting 90 % of key‑hole surgeries performed robotically by 2035.

💡 The rollout positions NCIC as a leader in robotic surgery, potentially setting a benchmark for other trusts seeking to meet national efficiency goals.

Video Friday: Your Robot Surgeon Will See You Now

Researchers at UC San Diego conducted a systematic evaluation of contemporary humanoid technology for laparoscopic surgical tasks. They developed a humanoid-based laparoscopic teleoperation framework using general-purpose instruments. The study assessed capabilities through benchtop characterization, dry-lab user studies involving diverse surgical experience levels, and in-vivo porcine studies. Evaluations quantified technical feasibility, task performance, and clinical readiness relative to established surgical platforms. The research provides an evidence-based assessment of current humanoid capabilities and limitations in surgical applications. It highlights both the promise of humanoid robots in medicine and the key technical challenges that must be addressed before clinical deployment. This work represents a significant step in validating humanoid robots for delicate medical procedures, offering concrete data on their potential to assist or replace traditional surgical systems in future healthcare settings.

💡 Validating humanoid robots for laparoscopic surgery bridges the gap between theoretical automation and practical clinical application. This evidence-based assessment provides the necessary technical benchmarks to determine if general-purpose robots can safely perform delicate medical procedures, potentially transforming surgical training and accessibility.

China Achieves World’s First Commercial Brain Chip Implant Milestone

China has completed the world’s first commercial brain-computer interface (BCI) implant, surpassing Elon Musk’s Neuralink. The procedure, conducted at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai, involved a spinal cord injury patient using Neuracle Medical Technology’s NEO system. The device, approved for commercial use, is non-invasive and allows the patient to control a robotic glove with brain signals, offering new hope for restoring hand function in paralyzed individuals.

💡 The success of the NEO system demonstrates China’s growing leadership in neurotechnology and its ability to fast-track medical innovations from research to real-world application. By offering a less invasive alternative to existing BCI technologies, it could redefine treatment options for millions of paralyzed patients globally.