XinzhiDa's Li Yuan Outlines 'Dual-Engine Strategy and Parallel Layout' to Advance Clinical Translation of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Source: Xinhua Finance

Xinhua Finance, Beijing, May 22nd, by reporter Qianqian Li. On May 21st, "Smart Mapping New Horizons · Crossing the Singularity —— '15th Five-Year Plan'"New Industry"Research Agent Launch Conference" Held in Beijing. At the conference, Li Yuan, Board Secretary of NEUCYBER (Beijing CoreNeuro Technology Co., Ltd.), stated that implantable brain-computer interfaces are still in the early stages of medical device industrialization, and their commercialization path must first overcome the regulatory hurdles of medical scenarios. Adopting a dual-driven model of "independent research and development of core components + medical device product development," NEUCYBER is simultaneously focusing on both semi-invasive and invasive brain-computer interfaces. This approach not only aligns with the cutting-edge international trends of high-throughput, high-precision, and low-power signal acquisition and real-time decoding but also fully considers clinical safety and practical application needs.

The scenario of "mind-controlled machines and data responding to the human brain," once only found in science fiction, is gradually becoming a reality thanks to breakthroughs in brain-computer interface technology. Li Yuan believes that from AI agents in the information world to embodied intelligence in physical spaces, an intelligent society is accelerating its arrival, ultimately leading to direct interaction between the human brain and the digital world. Brain-computer interfaces act as a "dialogue bridge" between biological brains and the digital realm, achieving two-way connectivity between carbon-based lifeforms and silicon-based systems by capturing and interpreting neural signals.

Globally, brain-computer interface technology has become a key track in the world's scientific and technological competition. China highly values this frontier field. In this year's government work report, "brain-computer interface" was explicitly listed as one of the future industries to be cultivated and developed for the first time, marking its rise as a national strategic layout direction.

According to Li Yuan, in response to the frontiers of global science and technology and national strategic needs, Beijing has launched the "Intelligent Brain-Computer System Enhancement Plan" in 2023. Relying on its excellent interdisciplinary research and clinical resource ecosystem, Beijing Institute of Brain Science and Neuromorphic Intelligence led the establishment of NEUCYBER, focusing on high-throughput fully implantable directions to rapidly advance R&D in an engineering manner. To date, two intelligent brain-computer systems have been successfully launched: the semi-invasive brain-computer interface "BeiNao No.1" and the invasive brain-computer interface "BeiNao No.2." Among them, "BeiNao No.1" is currently undergoing registration clinical trials, while "BeiNao No.2" is about to complete large animal validation and begin early clinical research.

At the corporate strategy level, NEUCYBER has chosen a dual-driven model of "independent research and development of core components + medical device product development." In this regard, Li Yuan stated that brain-computer interfaces are typical cross-multi-disciplinary complex integrated systems, with a technology chain involving underlying neuroscience, materials, electronics, chips, AI algorithms, as well as external terminal devices and application ecosystems. Therefore, NEUCYBER insists on the independent research and development and technical controllability of the implantable parts for front-end hardware and core algorithms—namely, the core components. Based on these core components, the company develops medical device products for clinical applications.

In terms of technical pathways, NEUCYBER is advancing simultaneously on both semi-invasive and invasive routes. Li Yuan stated that this approach aims to balance clinical safety with long-term technological potential. Implantable devices require surgical procedures and must first meet stringent medical regulatory requirements. As a semi-invasive system, "Beijing Brain One" utilizes novel flexible materials, eliminating the need to open the dura mater, significantly reducing surgical risks, and helping accelerate clinical translation of the product to address patients' practical issues as soon as possible.

However, to achieve high-precision, high-throughput real-time decoding of brain signals, invasive brain-computer interfaces remain an unavoidable technical route. Li Yuan stated that only through implantable brain-computer interfaces can we break through the ceiling of signal acquisition accuracy. "NEUCYBER Two" as an invasive product is working towards this goal by implanting electrodes into brain tissue to achieve high-precision analysis of single-neuron level signals, pushing the technology towards higher performance.

"We are rapidly implementing semi-invasive products to accumulate clinical experience while reserving top technological capabilities with invasive systems. This approach not only aligns with the international cutting-edge development trends of brain-computer interfaces, which emphasize high throughput, high precision, and low power consumption, but also ensures that every step follows a safe and controllable clinical pathway, laying a solid foundation for future widespread application. The primary goal is to ensure safety, followed by pursuing effectiveness, and ultimately achieving sustainable commercialization," said Li Yuan.

It is reported that the conference was hosted by China Economic Information Service, inviting experts from the government, industry, academia, research, and financial sectors to witness the launch of Tianyan· "15th Five-Year Plan" New Industry Research Intelligent Agent. Meanwhile, a high-end dialogue platform was established to gather representatives from related fields for exchange and discussion, collectively promoting the acceleration of future industries as new economic growth points. (END)

Editor: Yu Qing

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