On May 5, 2025, Firefly Neuroscience announced its acquisition of Evoke Neuroscience in a $6 million deal aimed at strengthening its Brain Network Analytics (BNA™) platform and expanding its intellectual property and data assets. The acquisition significantly increases Firefly’s diagnostic capabilities by integrating a broader and more diverse dataset of electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERP) assessments.
With Evoke’s extensive data archive, Firefly has doubled its EEG/ERP database to over 180,000 standardized assessment records, boosting its ability to detect neurological disorders such as depression, dementia, and ADHD. The integration is expected to refine pattern recognition in brainwave data, enabling faster and more accurate diagnostics.
The acquisition also triples Firefly’s patent portfolio, strengthening its efforts to build the world’s first EEG/ERP-based foundation model of the human brain. Powered by its access to the NVIDIA Connect platform, the initiative combines large-scale brainwave data with advanced machine learning to simulate brain function and identify early deviations associated with neurological disorders.
Firefly Neuroscience’s technology
Firefly Neurosciences’ BNA™ system offers a new way to diagnose brain disorders. It starts by recording a patient’s brain activity using EEG sensors while the patient is at rest and performing tasks. This data is then compared to an FDA-cleared database of brain scans from healthy individuals aged 12 to 85. At the center of the BNA™ system is Firefly’s database of over 17,000 EEG scans, including data from people with 12 different cognitive disorders. This helps Firefly identify biomarkers and support central nervous system (CNS) drug developers by reducing research risks and costs.
Firefly’s advanced AI system processes the EEG data into clinically actionable insights. Using machine learning, it detects subtle changes in brainwave patterns and generates cloud-based reports that compare a patient’s brain activity to healthy baselines and their own historical scans. These reports integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows, giving physicians clear visualizations and tools for a more personalized and effective treatment planning.
The platform’s capabilities are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,668,283, titled “Brain stimulation tool configuration”. This patent outlines a method of configuring a local brain stimulation tool using Brain Network Activity (BNA) patterns. It involves obtaining both a reference and a subject-specific BNA pattern, each made up of nodes that represent brain regions and their corresponding brainwave frequencies.
By analyzing the differences between these patterns, the system adjusts the simulation tool to deliver precise, frequency-specific therapy tailored to the individual’s neurophysiological state, enabling personalized neuromodulation. The patent listed Amir Geva, Ziv Peremen, Yaki Stern, and Amit Reches as inventors.
Evoke Neuroscience’s technology
Evoke Neuroscience is also a neurotechnology company that develops FDA-cleared devices that measure brain activity using EEG and ERP. Its Class II medical device system is designed to assess cognitive performance and brain health by capturing, displaying, and storing brainwave data, providing clinicians with actionable insights to support the diagnosis of impairments.
Unlike traditional cognitive tests, Evoke’s system uses objective biomarkers to identify underlying causes of cognitive decline. The system integrates a specialized EEG medical device with diagnostic software to assess memory loss and neurological function.
Notably, Evoke is also working on an AI tool to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using only EEG and ERP data. In partnership with the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Brain Center, they are running a clinical study with 300 patients who have cognitive issues. This new data, along with Evoke’s existing database of 100,000 EEG reports, will be used to train machine learning models to detect Alzheimer’s with very high accuracy.
To further its mission of bringing accessible diagnostics, Evoke also partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver cost-effective and innovative diagnostics to active-duty and veteran military populations through the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS).
From this point, we will explore Evoke Neuroscience’s patents and activity that played a key role in its acquisition.
Evoke Neuroscience’s Patenting Activity
Evoke Neuroscience was founded in 2009 and began commercial operations in 2014. As of this writing, Evoke has 18 granted patents and 3 active patent applications, filed in the United States. Most of these patent filings occurred in 2010, focusing on brain monitoring technologies. In 2014, Evoke expanded its portfolio with a series of design patents related to brain monitoring headgear used for measurement and training. Evoke’s patent portfolio can be grouped into the following patent families:
| Patent Number | Title | Priority Date | Filling Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11529515 | Transcranial stimulation device and method based on electrophysiological testing | 2009-12-28 | 2022-02-18 |
| US8938301 | Headgear with displaceable sensors for electrophysiology measurement and training | 2010-01-06 | 2014-08-13 |
| US10548501 | Electrophysiology measurement and training and remote databased and data analysis measurement method and system | 2010-01-06 | 2017-03-13 |
| US11253701 | Transcranial stimulation device and method based on electrophysiological testing | 2010-01-06 | 2021-09-01 |
| US10780268 | Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation – External stimulators | 2010-01-06 | 2014-12-22 |
| USD771823 | Headgear for electrophysiology measurement and training | 2014-08-13 | 2015-10-01 |
Evoke Neuroscience: Top Technology Areas
Evoke Neuroscience focuses on computational EEG for brain health, as reflected in their patents classified under A61N (ELECTROTHERAPY) and A61B (DIAGNOSIS). Both fields cover the measurement of the brain’s electrochemical signals to monitor and diagnose potential neurological disorders.
Evoke Neuroscience: Top Law Firms
The majority of Evoke Neuroscience’s patent filings were represented by Timothy J. Bechen through Bechen PLLC, Woods Rogers PLC, and K&L Gates LLP. In 2021, Timothy J. Bechen joined Wood Rogers PLC as part of the expansion of their Intellectual Property team.
Neurological databases and analysis
Firefly Neuroscience holds various patents in brain diagnostics such as U.S. Patent No. 8,706,205 and U.S. Patent No. 9,895,077. Both patents deal with the analysis of neurophysiological data to determine possible BNA patterns. With the acquisition, Evoke’s patents could potentially enhance Firefly’s ability to process large amounts of data within a networked environment.
U.S. Patent No. 10,548,501, titled “Electrophysiology measurement and training and remote databased and data analysis measurement method and system”, describes a system that enables advanced, cloud-based analysis of brainwave data (EEG/ERP) in a fully networked environment.
Clinicians can remotely upload patient brain data, which the system processes to generate detailed reports. These reports include neurological insights and recommend personalized, non-invasive treatment options such as neurofeedback, biofeedback, or brain stimulation—all delivered through the same integrated platform.
The system also allows for follow-up assessments, enabling clinicians to monitor patient progress over time. It generates comparison reports that show changes in brain function after treatment, helping clinicians evaluate effectiveness and adjust care strategies accordingly.
U.S. Patent No. 10,548,501 was filed on March 13, 2017 and was granted on February 4, 2020. K&L Gates LLP represented Evoke Neuroscience for this patent. The listed inventors are David Hagedorn and James W. G. Thompson.
Headgear technologies
Evoke Neuroscience also holds patents describing headgears for electrophysiological data collection. These are described in U.S. Patent No.11,253,701 and U.S. Patent No. 8,938,301.
U.S. Patent No. 11,253,701, entitled “Transcranial stimulation device and method based on electrophysiological testing”, describes a device that outlines a personalized neuromodulation therapy that uses both brain and body data to guide treatment. By analyzing this data against a machine learning-trained reference database, the system can identify neurological conditions and assess their severity.
Based on the analysis, it generates a customized treatment protocol with specific transcranial stimulation parameters. The system then delivers targeted brain stimulation according to the protocol, enabling precise, and data-driven neuromodulation therapy.
The patent was filed on September 1, 2021 and was granted on February 22, 2022. Woods Rogers PLC represented Evoke Neuroscience for this patent.
While the ‘701 patent focuses on using the device specifically for neurological diagnosis and treatment, the ‘301 patent explores additional applications of the headgear as a brain-controlled interface.
U.S. Patent No. 8,938,301, entitled “Headgear with displaceable sensors for electrophysiology measurement and training”, describes a headgear system that integrates electrophysiological data collection, neurostimulation, and brain-computer interface capabilities for clinical, performance, and neurogaming applications.
The device features dry sensors with adjustable placements that both record brain activity and deliver low-intensity electrical or electromagnetic stimulation to influence brain function. It supports real-time biofeedback and may include immersive features like visual and auditory components for neurogaming. Additionally, it connects with local or networked systems, and incorporates movement and balance sensors to enhance interactive neurofeedback and neuromodulation experiences.
The patent was filed on August 13, 2014 and was granted on May 20, 2015. Woods Rogers PLC represented Evoke Neuroscience for this patent.
Both patents listed David W Hagedorn as the sole inventor. Dr. Hagedorn is the CEO of Evoke Neuroscience and a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in brain function and cognitive disorders. He is known for his work with TBI, PTSD, and ADHD, and has trained professionals worldwide in advanced brain assessment and treatment techniques.
What’s next?
The acquisition significantly expanded Firefly’s customer base, adding over 60 clients, including pharmaceutical companies and medical practitioners, positioning the company for stronger revenue growth. With BNA™ now integrated into clinical trials and diagnostics, Firefly is on track to scale rapidly. A $500,000 earn-out tied to achieving $3 million in annualized revenue within three years reflects management’s confidence in this growth.
