China’s medical regulator has granted a world-first commercial green light to a brain-computer interface, with a system designed to help restore some hand movement to people with spinal cord injuries.
Developed by the Shanghai-based Neuracle Technology, the system includes implanted EEG electrodes linked to a pneumatic, robotic glove that can grasp objects. It is built for partially paralyzed adults who still retain some upper arm function, the country’s National Medical Products Administration said in its announcement.
According to a report from Bloomberg, multiple brain-computer interface startups have received support from the Chinese government, which sees the sector as a growing, strategic industry. That includes pledges to streamline regulatory reviews and reimbursement pathways, as the country seeks to compete globally with companies such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, as well as Synchron, Precision Neuroscience and others.
The South China Morning Post reported that Neuracle’s approach includes a coin-sized wireless device placed on the brain’s outer surface—and that the share prices of other Chinese BCI developers surged on the news of the NMPA approval.
At the same time, the Morning Post noted that another BCI company based in Shanghai, StairMed, raised 500 million yuan, or about $72.8 million U.S., for its efforts, which involves soft, thin, flexible electrodes slotted into the brain by a surgical robot through a small incision.
StairMed’s venture capital round was led by Alibaba Group, and backed by SDIC Fund Management, Shanghai Guotou Leading Fund, Yuanlai Capital, OrbiMed, Oriza Seed, Qiming Venture Partners, Lilly Asia Ventures and Source Code Capital.
And earlier this week, the Chengdu-based developer Gestala said it raised 150 million yuan, or about $21.6 million U.S., in angel investments to support its non-invasive, ultrasound-based BCI platform.
That round was co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, and joined by Tsing Song Capital, Gobi Partners, Fourier Intelligence, Liepin and Seas Capital, the company said in a release.
In the U.S., Precision Neuroscience received FDA clearance last year for its flexible, ribbon-like BCI implant, intended temporary brain mapping during open surgery. Capable of deploying thousands of electrodes at a time, the company is also developing platforms designed to allow paralyzed users to operate computer systems, as well as provide stimulation back to the brain.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the vision restoration developer Science posted a $230 million series C round to complete the development of its retina implant, known as PRIMA. The company said it has already submitted marketing applications to the FDA and for a CE Mark in the European Union for its device, with a wireless chip paired with camera-equipped glasses.