Google will cooperate with GSK to enter the bioelectronics market

According to the latest reports from foreign media, GlaxoSmithKline, the UK's largest biopharmaceutical company, will establish a new joint venture Galvani Bioelectronics with Life Sciences Division Verily, a subsidiary of Google's parent company, to jointly develop bioelectronics drugs/devices. According to reports, GlaxoSmithKline will hold a 55% stake in the new company and Verily will hold a 45% stake. The two companies plan to invest up to 540 million pounds (approximately $715 million) in the next seven years. funds.

At present, bioelectronics medicine is a brand-new field. It aims to modify the bioelectrical signals transmitted by synapses of neurons by implanting micro-devices into the human nervous system to achieve the purpose of treating chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and asthma. Allegedly, Galvani Bioelectronics will focus on the development of micro-implantable devices that intervene in synaptic signals to regulate irregular or turbulent pulses caused by many diseases. Both parties expect to launch such equipment around 2023 and apply for regulatory approvals for listing.

In fact, GSK has been focusing on this field since 2012 and has so far conducted more than 50 researches worldwide and has invested 50 million U.S. dollars to establish a venture capital fund focused on this field. However, so far, GSK's development in this area is still at the animal testing stage.

Verily, the biomedical division of Google, has been developing wearable medical devices and biosensors such as diabetes sensors and cancer detection devices. In addition, Verily has developed a smart contact lens that integrates tens of thousands of transistors and a hairline antenna to help diabetics monitor their blood glucose levels by analyzing glucose levels in the wearer's tears and send them wirelessly. It is very convenient for mobile devices such as smart phones.

The media estimates that the two companies will work together to promote greater development in the bioelectronics field in the future.