China Approves First Brain Implant for Commercial Use

China has approved its first-ever invasive brain-computer interface product, marking a key regulatory milestone in Chinese startups’ quest to challenge US rivals such as Elon Musk-backed Neuralink Corp. in the cutting-edge field.

China’s drug regulator, the National Medical Products Administration, said on Friday that it has granted marketing approval to Neuracle Technology (Shanghai) Co. for a brain implant for adult patients who are partially paralyzed due to spinal cord injury. In clinical trials, Neuracle’s brain-computer interface (BCI) product helped patients improve their ability to hold and grab objects with their hands.