John P. Donoghue Honored for Cyberkinetics' Groundbreaking BrainGate™ Brain-Computer Interface at the 'Popular Mechanics 2005 Breakthrough Awards'

Business Wire, Sept 30, 2005

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Cyberkinetics' Founder Selected Based On Potential of Innovative BrainGate(TM) System to Improve Lives of Motor-Impaired People

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: CYKN) (Cyberkinetics) announced today that John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., the Company's Chief Scientific Officer and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University, was named as one of ten individuals and teams honored at the first annual 'Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards' ceremony held last night in New York City. Dr. Donoghue was recognized, along with others, for innovations in diverse fields such as robotics, medicine, aeronautics and chemistry. Popular Mechanics is a well-respected, monthly men's magazine focused on technology innovation.

Dr. Donoghue, a founder of Cyberkinetics, was selected for the award based on his work in the field of brain-computer interfaces, including development of the BrainGate(TM) System and the potential, practical benefits that may be derived from his innovative work. Cyberkinetics' BrainGate(TM) System is being designed to give severely paralyzed individuals, as well as individuals with motor impairment from a variety of causes, a long-term, direct brain-computer interface for the purpose of communication and control of a computer, assistive devices, and, ultimately, their own limbs.

"The Breakthrough Awards are about recognizing brilliant work that can also improve people's lives and Dr. Donoghue's BrainGate(TM) combines the two perfectly," said Jim Meigs, editor-in-chief, Popular Mechanics. "The idea of brain-computer interface sounds like the stuff of science fiction. But previously announced results indicate that a person with severe paralysis can control a computer cursor in order to operate external devices, as well as to operate a prosthetic hand. And, most importantly, it is our opinion that there is promise it may transform the day-to-day lives of the victims of paralysis and disease and give them a measure of autonomy they'd never otherwise have."

"John has led the pioneering work to change the lives of people who are paralyzed, and we are very pleased that the panel and editors have recognized him for that effort," added Timothy R. Surgenor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. "Our goal for this ground-breaking technology is, ultimately, to enable paralyzed people to move their own limbs and to communicate simply by thinking."

In selecting candidates and winners of the 2005 Breakthrough Awards, editors of Popular Mechanics canvassed a broad, diverse group of experts and academics that recommended a list of nominees for the award. In addition, the magazine assembled a 10-person advisory panel comprised of outstanding scientists, engineers, authors and innovators from a variety of fields. Panel members included Dr. William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering, and Donald Keck of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The advisory panel and the editorial board of Popular Mechanics voted on the final winners. A complete report of the Breakthrough Awards will be included in the November 2005 issue of Popular Mechanics that will be published on October 11, 2005.

Leigh R. Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D., accepted the Award for Dr. Donoghue. He is the Principal Investigator for Cyberkinetics' trial of the BrainGate(TM) System for people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) currently underway at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Hochberg is an Instructor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, a member of the Neurology staff at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a Consultant in Neurology at The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

About the BrainGate(TM) System

The BrainGate(TM) Neural Interface System is a proprietary, investigational brain-computer interface (BCI) that consists of an internal sensor to detect brain cell activity and external processors that convert these brain signals into a computer-mediated output under the person's own control. The sensor is a tiny silicon chip about the size of a baby aspirin with one hundred electrodes, each thinner than a human hair, that can detect the electrical activity of neurons. The sensor is implanted on the surface of the area of the brain responsible for movement, the motor cortex. A small wire connects the sensor to a pedestal that is placed on the skull, extending through the scalp. An external cable connects the pedestal to a cart containing computers, signal processors and monitors that enable the study operators to determine how well study participants can control devices driven by their neural output - that is, by thought alone. The ultimate goal of the BrainGate(TM) System development program is to create a safe, effective and unobtrusive universal operating system that will enable those with motor impairments resulting from a variety of causes to quickly and reliably control a wide range of devices, including computers, assistive technologies and medical devices, simply by using their thoughts.