China's booming biotech, from a brain implant to drug discovery

China's biotech industry is on a rapid rise, with the first approved brain-computer interface and massive growth in drug discovery.

In March, China became the first country to approve an invasive brain-computer interface beyond clinical trials. The implant, called NEO, is now available to some patients with limb paralysis due to a spinal cord injury. Ira talks with Wired staff writer Emily Mullin about the significance of this milestone.

Plus, brain implants aren’t the only development: China’s entire biotech industry has skyrocketed in recent years. A decade ago, about 8% of new drug molecules were discovered in China. Now it's over 40%. And more clinical trials are now being conducted there than in the U.S. or Europe. Ira talks with health policy researcher So-Yeon Kang, who’s been following the Chinese pharma industry’s meteoric rise.

Guests:

Emily Mullin is a staff writer at Wired. 

Dr. So-Yeon Kang is an Assistant Professor of Health Management and Policy at Georgetown University. 

Other episodes you may enjoy:

• Advances In Brain-Computer Interfaces For People With Paralysis
• How China Is Driving Down Electricity Costs With Renewables

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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