The spin-off NewmanBrain, linked to the UMH Science Park, played a prominent role at the recent NeurotechEU 2025 Neuroinnovation Summit, held in Bodrum (Turkey) under the theme “Strategic Roadmap for NeurotechEU: Co-production of Knowledge and Evidence-Based Technology.”
A key space for dialogue between science, technology, and industry
From September 25 to 28, researchers, managers, industry representatives, and academic authorities from across Europe gathered to discuss how to transform advances in neurotechnology into tangible solutions with social and economic impact.
The summit featured a combination of formats: keynote lectures, round tables, parallel working sessions, and short presentations (“lightning talks”). Thematic sessions also focused on connecting scientific evidence with practical applications.
The UMH delegation and NewmanBrain’s leading role
The Miguel Hernández University (UMH) was represented by a multidisciplinary delegation that included:
- Juana Gallar (UMH leader of NeurotechEU and Director of the Institute of Neurosciences)
- José María Azorín (Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Management)
- María del Carmen Lillo (Director of the Translational Research Center in Physiotherapy)
- Jorge Maldonado (UMH student representative at NeurotechEU and PhD candidate at IN CSIC-UMH)
- Pablo Belmonte, CEO of NewmanBrain
Each member of the delegation contributed their expertise—moderating sessions, delivering presentations, and showcasing the progress of their respective projects.
Specifically:
- Juana Gallar moderated two sessions and gave a lightning talk titled “From Basic Science to the End User: An FDA-Approved Drug and a Diagnostic Device.”
- José María Azorín delivered a talk on “Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials of BCI Systems and Exoskeletons.”
- María del Carmen Lillo co-authored the event’s central document and participated in the roundtable “Understanding Social Challenges: Applications and Social Initiatives.”
- Pablo Belmonte presented NewmanBrain’s development as a success story during the nanosymposium “Translation to Industry: Challenges, Opportunities, and Success Stories.”
NewmanBrain: From Innovation to Real-World Impact
NewmanBrain is emerging as a reference company in brain diagnostic technologies powered by artificial intelligence. Its device, Theia, combines advanced algorithms with fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to analyze brain activity non-invasively.
The device has already been tested on more than 600 participants and is designed to assist in diagnosing cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders such as cognitive aging and ADHD in children.
NewmanBrain’s evolution, presented at the summit, illustrates how a scientific idea can progress into a commercial solution with real healthcare potential.
Newmanbrain is a company focused on developing software and hardware for biomedical applications in the fields of neuroscience and biomedicine. It is led by Carlos Belmonte, former director of the Institute of Neurosciences and emeritus professor at UMH; Joaquín Ibáñez, director of the Department of Physiology at UMH; and Pablo Belmonte, the company’s CEO.
Beyond the Summit: Toward a Roadmap for NeurotechEU
One of the core goals of the event was to turn the results of the work package on “Common Policies and Strategic Development” into concrete actions to guide:
- Future research agendas
- Joint training and education programs among universities
- Public policy dialogues in European research and innovation
The strategy aims to accelerate responsible neuroinnovation—innovation that delivers tangible societal benefits while upholding ethical standards, equity, and transparency.
The NeurotechEU Alliance is composed of eight leading universities:
UMH (Spain), Radboud (Netherlands), Karolinska (Sweden), Bonn (Germany), Boğaziçi (Turkey), Iuliu Hațieganu (Romania), Lille (France), and Reykjavik (Iceland).
Conclusion
NewmanBrain’s participation in the 2025 Neuroinnovation Summit not only strengthens its international visibility but also exemplifies the science-to-business translation model that many aim to foster in the field of neurotechnology.
Through its multidisciplinary delegation, UMH reaffirms its commitment to leading innovation in this emerging sector.
The next step lies in following up on the ideas and commitments generated during the summit—ensuring that proposals evolve into concrete programs and real-world impact. In this regard, NewmanBrain faces a promising path ahead.