SonoNeu Emerges From Stealth With $41.3M Government Grant to Advance Sonogenetics Therapy

Spin-out from Salk Institute partners with top research institutions to develop noninvasive, ultrasound-based treatments for conditions like neuropathy.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:16am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays depicts sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific principles behind the sonogenetics technology.An abstract scientific illustration captures the intricate interplay of ultrasound, engineered proteins, and cellular control at the heart of the sonogenetics technology.Palo Alto Today

SonoNeu, a biotechnology company pioneering sonogenetics technology, has emerged from stealth mode as part of a major $41.3 million research program funded by the U.S. government's Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). SonoNeu, co-founded by Salk Institute scientist Sreekanth Chalasani, will coordinate the translation of sonogenetics research into novel therapeutic candidates, working alongside six leading U.S. institutions.

Why it matters

Sonogenetics is an innovative approach that uses ultrasound to precisely control specific cells engineered with ultrasound-responsive proteins. This technology holds promise for developing drug-free, non-invasive treatments for a range of conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease, by enabling targeted modulation of cellular activity.

The details

The ARPA-H award will support an up to six-year, multi-institution collaboration focused on developing core biological tools, next-generation ultrasound delivery systems, and the preclinical evidence needed to move sonogenetics into clinical trials. SonoNeu will coordinate with teams from Scripps Research, University of Manitoba, Duke University, MIT, UC San Diego, and CalMI2 to advance the technology.

  • The ARPA-H award was announced on April 7, 2026.
  • The research program is expected to last up to six years.

The players

SonoNeu

A biotechnology company pioneering the development of sonogenetics, a new modality that uses ultrasound to precisely and non-invasively control specific cells engineered with ultrasound-responsive proteins. SonoNeu is a spin-out from the Salk Institute and was co-founded by General Inception.

Sreekanth Chalasani, PhD

The co-founder of SonoNeu and a pioneering neuroscientist at the Salk Institute, where he discovered the sonogenetics technology.

Venkat Reddy

The Chief Scientific Officer of General Inception and a co-founder of SonoNeu.

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

A U.S. government agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that awarded up to $41.3 million in funding for the sonogenetics research program.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

The independent, nonprofit research institute that is leading the sonogenetics research program.

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What they’re saying

“This award is a major step toward a long-held goal - a drug-free way to deliver therapy exactly where it's needed and only when it's needed. We are building a platform that pairs engineered ultrasound-sensitive proteins with wearable ultrasound technology. One possible outcome may be to promote nerve repair and the relief of pain for people living with both common and debilitating conditions, including neuropathy indications.”

— Sreekanth Chalasani, PhD, Co-Founder of SonoNeu and Lead Principal Investigator for the ARPA-H Award

“Sonogenetics holds incredible promise for treating an array of conditions in a drug-free and non-invasive manner. General Inception is proud to have co-founded SonoNeu and believes this up to $41.3 million ARPA-H award will go a long way to advancing this incredible technology.”

— Venkat Reddy, Chief Scientific Officer of General Inception and Co-Founder of SonoNeu

What’s next

The research program will continue over the next six years, with the goal of developing the core biological tools, ultrasound delivery systems, and preclinical evidence needed to move sonogenetics into clinical trials for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy.

The takeaway

This major government-funded research program represents a significant step forward in the development of sonogenetics, a promising new technology that could enable drug-free, non-invasive treatments for a range of neurological and peripheral nervous system disorders by precisely controlling cellular activity using ultrasound.