Science Friday
China's booming biotech, from a brain implant to drug discovery
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Show notes
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
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