Chinese brain‑computer interface (BCI) firms are catching up with their U.S. rivals, thanks to rapid tech breakthroughs and strong government backing. Zhiran Medical showcased an ultra‑thin, flexible deep‑brain electrode that was implanted in a patient at Zhejiang University’s hospital in November 2024, marking the first long‑term, high‑resolution signal collection from deep brain regions. By the end of 2025 the company added a wireless system based on the same flexible electrodes, and a multi‑center clinical trial began in May 2026, putting Zhiran on the same generational footing as overseas players. Meanwhile, BoRuiKang has taken a safer route, placing electrodes on the brain’s surface (epidural) instead of penetrating the tissue. This balances signal quality with lower risk and smooths the regulatory review process. Despite these advances, Chinese firms still trail U.S. leaders like Neuralink and Blackrock in chip manufacturing, biocompatible materials, and proof of long‑term stability. The gap is narrowing, however, because China has woven BCI development into its national strategy – it appears in the 15th Five‑Year Plan and benefits from a special fast‑track review system that lets regulators and developers work side‑by‑side. Industry insiders say the real test now is turning policy support into lasting market strength. Companies must prove their devices work in real patients, secure reimbursement, and keep iterating faster than competitors. If they can, China could move from approval leader to global BCI powerhouse.
Read moreChina’s drug regulators have launched a “Pilot Plan for Advancing New Method (NAM) Research and Application,” aiming to replace or reduce animal testing with organ‑on‑a‑chip, organoid and AI‑driven models. The move follows similar initiatives in the US, UK and Europe, and reflects growing frustration that traditional animal studies are costly, slow and increasingly seen as unsustainable. Experts say the technology is promising: human‑derived organoids can mimic a blood‑brain barrier or atherosclerotic vessels far better than animal models, giving researchers quicker, more relevant safety data. Yet many scientists caution that these systems still lack key features such as vascular networks and whole‑body interactions, meaning they cannot yet fully stand in for live animals. Industry insiders are split. Optimists view the pilot as a turning point that could eventually lower R&D waste and speed up drug launches. Skeptics warn that regulators still demand animal data for proof of efficacy, so companies must fund both traditional tests and new methods, driving short‑term costs up by 20‑30 %. The consensus is that a true “de‑animalization” of drug discovery will take several years—perhaps a decade—of parallel testing, validation and regulatory alignment. In the meantime, organoids and AI are being used as cost‑effective screening tools, but animal studies remain the backbone of pre‑clinical research.
Read moreQuanshen Biotechnology is reshaping China’s biotech landscape with a clear, step‑by‑step strategy that moves from biosimilars to breakthrough medicines. The company now boasts a robust pipeline: one drug already on the market, another awaiting approval, three in late‑stage trials, and three long‑acting bispecific antibodies ready for export. These products target four major disease areas—dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory health, and gastroenterology—covering conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ankylosing spondylitis, asthma, COPD, and inflammatory bowel disease. The breakthrough comes from Quanshen’s first marketed product, a biosimilar of ustekinumab, aimed at the roughly 7 million Chinese patients suffering from psoriasis. Approved at the end of 2024, the drug’s sales are projected to near 300 million yuan in 2025, with a 200 % year‑on‑year jump in Q1 2026. Its key advantage is convenience: patients need only one injection every three months, boosting adherence. What makes this launch truly transformative is price. The original biologic cost up to 200,000 yuan a year, leaving most patients unable to afford it. Quanshen’s biosimilar slashes the annual price to about 15,000 yuan, and after insurance rebates, out‑of‑pocket costs drop to roughly 4,000 yuan (about 10 yuan per day). By delivering high‑quality, affordable biologics, Quanshen aims to bring cutting‑edge therapy to the masses, embodying its mission of “innovating for the majority.”
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