Control Bionics Lands Synchron Co-Founder to Drive Its Neurotechnology Push
World-class brain-computer interface pioneer joins Control Bionics board
Control Bionics Limited (ASX: CBL) has appointed Professor Nicholas Opie as a Non-Executive Director and strategic advisor, effective 14 May 2026. Opie is co-founder of Synchron Inc, the world’s leading endovascular brain-computer interface company, and a founding director of ultrasonic deep-brain neuromodulation start-up Ultra Bionics.
The appointment carries a dual structure: Opie joins the board as Non-Executive Director while also being separately engaged as a strategic advisor to CBL’s technical and clinical teams. He also serves as Head of the Vascular Bionics Laboratory at the University of Melbourne.
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The credentials behind the appointment
Prof Opie is an internationally recognised biomedical engineer and expert in neural interfaces, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, and endovascular bionics. At Synchron, he led the team behind the Stentrode™ technology, a minimally invasive BCI designed to help people with paralysis control digital devices by routing signals through blood vessels rather than requiring open-brain surgery.
His second venture, Ultra Bionics, is an early-stage deep-tech company developing implantable neurotechnology that delivers high-resolution, steerable ultrasound to deep-brain regions via a minimally invasive surgical approach. The platform targets neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and Depression.
His academic and recognition record is substantial:
- 60+ peer-reviewed publications
- 1,090+ patents filed across neural interfaces, endovascular sensing and stimulation, closed-loop ultrasonic neuromodulation, and BCI control systems
- Published in Nature Biotechnology, Nature Biomedical Engineering, and JAMA Neurology
- Awards: European Inventor Award, TIME Best Inventions, NFMRI John Raftos AM Award for Advancing Innovation, and Innovation Aus Paul Shetler Disruptor of the Year
Prof Nicholas Opie
“Control Bionics has developed highly differentiated Australian technology with the potential to improve communication, independence and quality of life for people living with serious neurological and physical conditions. It has a strong scientific platform and an opportunity to extend its technology across important clinical and commercial use cases. I am excited to join the Board and support the team as it advances Australian-developed assistive communication, rehabilitation, sports performance and broader neurotechnology applications for global markets.”
Strengthening the platform — from assistive communication to global neurotechnology
Strategic fit across CBL’s growth markets
Opie’s role is explicitly active rather than ceremonial. He will work directly with CBL’s technical and clinical teams as a strategic advisor alongside his board responsibilities, contributing to the company’s technology roadmap, clinical development, and commercial growth strategy.
His expertise maps directly onto CBL’s four target application areas:
- Assistive communication — CBL’s core market, serving people living with paralysis and loss of speech
- Sports performance — an emerging market being pursued via the NeuroStrip® platform
- Rehabilitation — a growing use case for neuroelectric signal technology
- Broader neurotechnology — longer-term applications across the neurotechnology sector
CBL’s NeuroNode® and NeuroStrip® platforms underpin these growth pillars. The company currently operates across North America, Australia, Europe and Japan.
Chairman’s view on the strategic signal
Chairman Stephen Rix
“Nick is one of the most respected figures in neural interfaces and applied neurotechnology. His decision to join Control Bionics reflects the strength of the Company’s science, the breadth of its potential applications and the opportunity to build a larger Australian neurotechnology business with global potential.”
The signal from this appointment is meaningful. A founder of two commercial neurotechnology entities, with a track record translating advanced bionics from research into clinical and commercial applications, has chosen to back CBL’s science and platform. That said, this remains a board appointment. No partnership deal or commercial contract has been announced alongside it.
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Alignment through equity — option terms and board update
The board has resolved to issue Prof Opie 1.25 million options, subject to shareholder approval at CBL’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, scheduled for October 2026. The options are structured to align his interests with shareholders over a four-year vesting schedule.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of options | 1.25 million |
| Exercise price | 6.3 cents per share (closing price of CBL shares on ASX on 13 May 2026) |
| Vesting | 312,500 options vesting on 13 May 2027 312,500 options vesting on 13 May 2028 312,500 options vesting on 13 May 2029 312,500 options vesting on 13 May 2030 |
| Expiry date | 13 May 2031 |
| Shareholder approval | Required under ASX Listing Rule 10.11 at the 2026 AGM. If approved, options will be issued within seven days of approval. |
Concurrent with Prof Opie’s appointment, Non-Executive Director Dr Stephanie Phillips retired from the board, also effective 14 May 2026. Chairman Stephen Rix acknowledged her medical, academic and governance contributions, noting her support through an important period of development for the company.
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