From Brain-Computer Interfaces to Rare Disease Therapies: Central SOEs Forge Ahead in the Medical and Health Sector

Xinhua Finance, Beijing, September 16th — Recently, CEC CLOUD BRAIN, under China Electronics Corporation, officially released the first domestically-produced non-invasive brain-computer intelligent headband in China, drawing significant market attention. "The headband uses a domestically-produced EEG acquisition chip. Since its launch just over a month ago, procurement intentions have approached 200,000 units, with more than 100,000 units already under formal contract," said Cheng Longlong, General Manager of Zhongdian Yunnao (Tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd., in an interview. This achievement is a microcosm of how central enterprises are driving the upgrading of the healthcare industry through technological innovation.

From breakthroughs in brain-computer interface and low-light night vision frontier technologies, to building the "Xirang" computing power platform to support cutting-edge scientific research; from promoting "smart hospitals" reaching remote mountain villages, to ensuring the supply of rare disease medicines and deepening elderly care services within communities… In recent years, a group of central enterprises have used technological breakthroughs as an engine and people's needs as a guide, continuously tackling new frontiers in healthcare.

Accelerate the Layout of New Tracks such as Brain-Computer Interface

As one of the key technologies prioritized for development in China's "14th Five-Year Plan," brain-computer interface is witnessing accelerated innovation and in-depth strategic planning by central enterprises.

The Microelectronics Research Institute under the China Ordnance Industries Group has independently developed a series of localized products, including invasive 100-channel flexible electrodes, non-invasive gel semi-dry electrodes, and high-precision EEG acquisition chips. At the same time, it is vigorously promoting the application of these products in industrial and medical scenarios. For example, the "Smart Safety Helmet for Industrial Safety Monitoring and Real-time Supervision Platform" has been rapidly applied in industries such as power and construction, while products like brain-computer interface rehabilitation gloves have already entered clinical application in multiple hospitals in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.

"Next, the Microelectronics Research Institute will continue to promote the low-cost and robust design of brain-computer interfaces, facilitate the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation elements in the brain-computer interface industry chain, and accelerate industrial implementation," said Chen Binggen, Chairman of the Microelectronics Research Institute.

"Brain-computer interfaces have made remarkable progress globally in recent years, gradually moving from laboratory research to industrial applications," said Luo Minmin, director of the Beijing Institute of Brain Science and Brain-like Intelligence. The medical and health field is one of the most widely applied and promising areas for brain-computer interfaces, showing great potential in clinical treatment.

CCID Research Institute predicts that the brain-computer interface market size will exceed 3.8 billion yuan by 2025, and surpass 5.5 billion yuan by 2027, with an average annual growth rate of around 20%.

In the细分赛道 of smart wearables, central enterprises are also at the forefront of innovation.

Zhongjiancai Optoelectronic Core Technology Co., Ltd. successfully applied a low-light night vision core technology once used in high-end equipment to the smart wearable field. "The company's team overcame the challenge of medical-grade precision monitoring and developed high-performance cover glass, enabling ordinary smartwatches to accurately measure vital signs such as blood oxygen and heart rate for the first time, driving the entire industry to leap from 'functional' to 'medical-grade'," said Wang Sanzhao, Vice General Manager of Zhongjiancai Optoelectronic Core Technology Co., Ltd. By 2025, this project has accumulated 17 patent applications, promoted collaborative innovation across the upstream and downstream industrial chain, and generated indirect economic benefits exceeding 1 billion yuan.

Yuan Xue, deputy researcher of the Research Center of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, believes that it is necessary to accelerate the improvement of the shortcomings of the pharmaceuticals and medical industry, break through key bottlenecks, enhance the production capabilities of high-performance medical equipment, core components, as well as drugs and vaccines, to ensure the safety of people's lives.

"Artificial Intelligence+" Accelerates Implementation in the Medical Field

In the mountainous areas of southern Zhejiang, a "smart mobile hospital" equipped with 5G networks and AI technology is quietly transforming the medical experience for villagers in Jingning She Autonomous County, Lishui.

Real-time uploading of medical records, second-level sharing of examination data, and even completion of ECG, B-ultrasound, pulmonary function tests... relying onChina MobileWith 5G networks and AI-assisted diagnostics, local villagers can have "face-to-face" consultations with experts right at their doorstep.

"The large bandwidth, low latency, and high security of the 5G network provide a solid technical foundation for these innovative services. The introduction of AI algorithms has made intelligent assisted diagnosis possible, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of disease screening," said Jinbiao, General Manager of the Lishui branch of China Mobile Zhejiang Company.

Mountain roads no longer block access to medical care, as "mobile hospitals" have truly reached deep into the mountains. Data shows that currently, the mobile smart hospital in Jingning She Autonomous County has conducted over 2,880 cloud-based consultations, served more than 110,000 people, and saved patients a total of 3 million yuan in costs.

In Shanxi, under China GuoxinChina National HealthFocusing on the pain points of "difficulty in accessing medical care and consultation" for special employee groups such as deep mountain patrol inspectors and construction workers, the self-developed "Yikang Housekeeper" AI family doctor mini-program serves as the core platform. It connects over 80,000 deputy chief physician-level experts from the top 100 hospitals in China, enabling "professional medical teams just a phone call away."

"Since its launch on April 1, the mini-program has been used more than 100,000 times, with nearly 2,000 online consultations, cumulatively saving employees about 4,000 hours," said Lu Xinhua, General Manager of the Health Services Division at Guoxin Health.

At Tsinghua University,China TelecomChina Telecom Cloud Launches "Xirang - Research Assistant" to Provide Powerful Computing Support for Scientific Research. An optical imaging team utilized its high-performance GPU computing power and pre-configured tools to efficiently process data in life sciences, significantly reducing the deployment time for research environments. It is estimated that 50% of costs can be saved within three years, accelerating the transformation of scientific research achievements.

A relevant official from the Planning Bureau of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council recently stated that the next step for SASAC will be to further promote the "AI+" special action among central enterprises. Based on the “Strategic High-value Scenario Library for Artificial Intelligence in State-owned Central Enterprises,” it aims to create application benchmarks in artificial intelligence + science, biomedicine, and other fields, opening up new tracks for the development of strategic emerging industries and future industries.

Effectively Address the "Urgent, Difficult, Worrying, and Hopeful" Issues of the People

FocusPeople's Health"Urgent, Difficult, Worrying, and Long-Awaited" in the Field – Central State-Owned Enterprises Are Taking Action.

"China National Pharmaceutical Group will continue to increase R&D investment in rare disease drugs, striving to bring more self-developed rare disease drugs to market and further alleviate the difficulties in accessing medications for rare diseases," said Zhang Haoji, Deputy General Manager of Sinopharm International under China National Pharmaceutical Group.

Recombinant Human Coagulation Factor VIII, Recombinant Human C1 Esterase Inhibitor, Recombinant Corticotropin… Based on its positioning as the "National Pharmaceutical Security Platform," Sinopharm Group adopts a dual-driven strategy of "introduction + research and development" to fully address the issue of "medication difficulties" faced by patients with rare diseases. Significant progress has been achieved since 2018, with the successive introduction of Mitotane Tablets, Clobazam, and Deflazacort Tablets, providing life-saving drugs to patients with rare diseases at the earliest opportunity and earning widespread acclaim from all sectors of society.

Moreover, China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) leverages its full-industry-chain advantages to build a global supply network: from pre-stocking in bonded warehouses, to cold chain direct delivery of temperature-controlled medicines, to drug search via mini-programs and full-process traceability, ensuring that patients with rare diseases have "access to medicines and safe medication."

The General Technology Group delivers precision elderly care services right to the "doorsteps" of seniors.

It is reported that since the "14th Five-Year Plan," the General Technology Group has actively built a home-based elderly care service system. Through its health and wellness company, it has launched more than 20 on-site services, covering elderly care, rehabilitation training, accompanying medical treatment, etc., cumulatively serving over 100,000 people. The General Fanghua Elderly Care Service Station and integrated elderly care facilities under the General Technology Group have successfully explored a "small-scale, multi-functional" model, creating an integrated online and offline service. At the same time, it pioneered in China the auxiliary equipment rental business based on long-term care insurance payment methods, forming the nationally leading "Nantong Model." This initiative has delivered auxiliary equipment to over 30,000 households, allowing more elderly people to enjoy wellness living.

More notably, the "ground-air integrated" pre-hospital emergency medical rescue model of GE Healthcare Universal Medical has been successfully implemented in Panzhihua City. To date, the "Air 120" has opened over 20 emergency flight routes, with a rescue radius of 200 kilometers, establishing a "green aerial lifeline" in southwest Sichuan and northwest Yunnan regions.

Industry experts said that, with the synergy of national policies and market demands, central enterprises are becoming the core engine driving the innovation of new quality productivity in the healthcare field. On the new journey of the "15th Five-Year Plan," aiming to accelerate the building of a national team in the biopharmaceutical sector, state-owned central enterprises continue to tackle industrial "new highlands" through various means, rapidly enhancing industrial influence and competitiveness, providing solid support for building a Healthy China.

Editor: Yin Yang