When Daniel Ko arrived at The University of Manchester as an undergraduate neuroscience student in 2004, he could not have known that his degree would take him around the world and eventually bring him back to Manchester with an innovative neurotechnology company and ambitions to improve care for people living with neurological conditions.

Today, Daniel is Founder and CEO of Neuropix, a Hong Kong-based company developing non-invasive neurostimulation technologies for conditions including epilepsy, autism and ADHD. His career has taken him across Europe and Asia, combining neuroscience research, translational medicine and commercial development.

He is now reconnecting with Manchester to build clinical partnerships, with his UK entity NX Health Limited, to establish UK operations and explore opportunities to evaluate his neurotechnology within the NHS. Daniel’s return creates new opportunities to connect Manchester’s neuroscience expertise with emerging health technologies, supporting research, innovation and patient benefit.

From Manchester to Hong Kong

During his undergraduate studies, one opportunity proved particularly influential in shaping Daniel’s future career. After performing strongly in his first year, he was encouraged by Professor Stuart Allan, who was both his personal tutor and bachelor’s degree project supervisor, to transfer onto a four-year degree programme that included an industrial placement year.

At a time when most students undertaking placements chose destinations closer to home, Daniel who grew up in Crewe, Cheshire, set his sights on China and secured a placement in Beijing.

Manchester gave me opportunities that shaped my entire career – from my industrial placement in China through to my research training. Coming back now to build partnerships and hopefully contribute something back to the University and the wider clinical community feels very rewarding.

Daniel Ko

Following his PhD with Professor Alan Crossman’s world-renowned laboratory for Parkinson’s Disease research at The University of Manchester, Daniel completed postdoctoral research in Bordeaux before returning to China to work on commercial research projects.

He later joined National Neuromodulation Laboratory at Tsinghua University, and gained extensive experience across both academia and industry. This combination of neuroscience research, translational medicine and commercial development eventually led him to establish Neuropix in Hong Kong.

The company is developing non-invasive neurostimulation technologies that uses gentle electrical stimulation to target neurological conditions. Unlike implantable systems, the technology is designed to be used without surgery, and has the potential to offer more accessible and less invasive treatment options for wider patient groups.

The neurostimulation device developed by Neuropix, designed to deliver electrical stimulation without surgery.

Returning to build UK partnerships

Although Neuropix has made significant international progress, Manchester has once again become central to Daniel’s plans. Through the University’s Hong Kong alumni network, he reconnected with the University, leading to Neuropix joining Unit M’s Deep Tech Accelerator Programme. Designed to help innovative companies establish and scale, the programme provides expert support, industry connections, investment opportunities and access to the University’s research and innovation ecosystem through Unit M.

Through the programme, Daniel setup a Manchester based company NX Health Limited and has begun building relationships with researchers and clinicians to explore clinical trials and develop his technology tailored for UK patient needs.

Reflecting on his return to Manchester, Daniel said: “I has allowed us to establish some really good partnerships. We’re discussing how to conduct clinical trials in the UK, navigate the regulatory pathway and engage with NHS innovation teams. Our aim is to evaluate whether non-invasive neurostimulation could provide a more accessible and cost-effective solutions for people living with neurological and neurobehavioural conditions.”

We were delighted to welcome NX Health into the inaugural cohort of our deep tech accelerator. Their innovation and ambition exemplify the strength of Manchester’s thriving health technology ecosystem, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth and success.

Maeve Reynolds, Accelerator Coordinator

Professor Stuart Allan believes Daniel’s journey shows how alumni connections can help create new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. “It has been a pleasure to see Daniel’s career develop,” he said. “His work demonstrates how research, innovation and collaboration can come together to develop technologies with real potential to improve patients’ lives. We are delighted to see him reconnecting with Manchester and exploring opportunities to work with our researchers and clinical partners.”

Two decades after arriving at Manchester as an undergraduate, Daniel’s journey has come full circle, creating new opportunities for collaboration between academia, healthcare and industry. As NX Health is establishing itself in the UK, Daniel has set sights on Manchester being the central hub for its UK innovation activities.

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