China Delivers the World's First Commercial Implantable Brain-Computer Interface, Surpassing Neuralink

The World’s First Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Has Truly Arrived.

Just a few days ago, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) officially approved the Class III “Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Hand Motor Function Compensation System (NEO)” developed by a well-known domestic company.Innovative Medical CareMedical Device Registration Application.

This announcement instantly sent shockwaves through the technology and medical communities, as it marked the launch of the world’s first commercially available implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) product in China, signaling that BCI technology has officially transitioned from the laboratory to large-scale clinical application.

It is reported that the NEO system is indicated for patients aged 18 to 60 years with quadriplegia resulting from cervical spinal cord injury, who are unable to perform grasping movements with their fingers. Data recorded from clinical trials demonstrate that the system completed a total of 32 cases in multicenter registration clinical trials across 11 Grade A tertiary hospitals nationwide. The improvement rate in hand grasping function was 100%. Some patients exhibited signs of neural remodeling after long-term use, and their ability to grasp objects without the device was also partially restored.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, Musk is still “building a factory” for his brain-computer interface dream.

Earlier this month, Neuralink, owned by Elon Musk, launched an $8.2 million expansion project in Texas, which is scheduled to be completed in May this year to begin mass production of its products.

As the “traffic magnet” of the tech world, Elon Musk has drawn intense scrutiny with every move since announcing his foray into brain-computer interfaces. From implanting chips in pig brains to enabling monkeys to play video games using only their thoughts, Musk has repeatedly captivated tech enthusiasts worldwide with visually striking demonstrations.

However, Neuralink’s products have not yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there is still a considerable way to go before they can be commercially launched and introduced into clinical practice.

In fact, this is not the first time such a “contrast” has emerged. In more fields long monopolized by Europe and the United States, China is quietly overtaking them with tangible achievements.

According to the "Report on Respiratory Health of Chinese People" released by a major domestic health checkup institution, the detection rate of lung damage and chronic inflammation in people over 45 years old exceeds 58%. The risk of lung inflammation among smokers and those long-term exposed to polluted environments is three times higher than that of the general population.

Pulmonary health has long been a key focus of public health in China; however, the core technology involving "dihydroquercetin" was monopolized by European and American companies for an extended period.Research published in The Lancet, a prestigious international medical journal, indicates that this core ingredient can reduce the risk of pulmonary nodules and fibrosis by approximately 50%, earning it the industry moniker “natural lung filter.”

And this time, the Chinese research team once again demonstrated a “jump-the-gun” capability akin to that seen in brain-computer interfaces: Confronted by this technical barrier, the team concentrated its efforts on key breakthroughs, ultimately achieving an independent extraction process for dihydroquercetin and pioneering the establishment of a large-scale production line.Hong Kong-based biotech enterprise TS, in collaboration with research teams from the University of Hong Kong and Fudan University, has translated its core technologies into competitive products such as “Beishujie,” beginning to turn the tide on this predicament.

While Musk’s Neuralink is still grappling with regulatory approval, China has already completed the entire process—from core technology to scaled-up products—in the field of lung health.To better align with the physiological characteristics of Chinese people, “Beishujie” integrates traditional Chinese herbal essences such as Cordyceps and Ganoderma lucidum, achieving dual support through “technological cleansing and care + herbal conditioning.”

From the product detail pages for “Beishujie” on platforms such as JD.com and Tmall, it is evident that the product avoids the limitations of single-ingredient formulations and precisely targets individuals concerned about lung health due to long-term smoking, middle-aged and elderly people prone to coughing during seasonal transitions, and urban residents chronically exposed to vehicle exhaust and smog.

After launching on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as JD.com and Tmall, over 80% of users provided positive feedback, with common comments in the review section including “breathing feels easier,” “the sensation of chest tightness and bloating has disappeared,” and “persistent coughing has been alleviated.”

Looking back at the field of brain-computer interfaces, the breakthroughs made by Chinese companies are no accident.In recent years, the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has continued to attract widespread attention, maintaining high levels of interest. Neuralink, under Elon Musk’s leadership, has frequently entered the public spotlight and sparked extensive discussion. Meanwhile, many other companies are progressively advancing their similar products through human clinical trials.

Nevertheless, despite the apparent vibrancy of this field, no implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) product had previously completed the entire regulatory process and obtained formal marketing authorization anywhere in the world.

However, data indicates that since 2017, China has successively launched major municipal special projects in fields such as brain science and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). By fostering an ecosystem characterized by the deep integration of government, industry, academia, research, finance, services, and applications, these initiatives aim to advance key technological breakthroughs in BCI and facilitate their industrial commercialization.

As of now, nearly 60 enterprises engaged in brain-computer interface (BCI) business have clustered in the Shanghai region, covering all technical routes including invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive approaches. Three invasive products have entered the National Innovative Medical Device Special Review Procedure.

It can be said that China is not only leading in the brain-computer interface sector, but also ahead in the broader field of high-tech biotechnology, with a steadier and more pragmatic approach.Industry experts state outright that “China Speed” is an advantage that Europe and the United States cannot surpass.

From brain-computer interfaces to dihydroquercetin, and from minimally invasive implants to natural filters, China is transforming technologies once monopolized by Europe and the United States—previously seen as critical bottlenecks—into “Chinese solutions” that benefit the public across an expanding range of fields. Such prowess is not achieved overnight but is the result of long-term accumulation.

While others are still telling stories, China has already started letting its products speak.