Chinese biotech firms challenge global Parkinson’s treatment dominance through innovative therapies
Original framing: “How Chinese drug makers are tackling Western dominance in US$16 billion Parkinson’s race” — South China Morning Post
Patients in low- and middle-income countries, as well as those from marginalized ethnic groups, are often excluded from clinical trials and treatment development. Their lived experiences and health outcomes are not reflected in the innovation pipeline, leading to disparities in care.
The rise of Chinese biotech firms in Parkinson’s treatment reflects a complex interplay of state-driven innovation, global health inequities, and the marginalization of non-Western knowledge systems.
While cutting-edge therapies offer promise, they must be contextualized within broader structural forces—such as colonial legacies in intellectual property, access disparities, and the exclusion of indigenous and traditional approaches. To move forward, a systemic approach is needed that integrates diverse epistemologies, ensures equitable access, and centers the voices of those most affected by neurodegenerative diseases. This requires not only scientific and technological collaboration but also a reimagining of global health governance and innovation frameworks.