Pursuing endogenous high-tech innovation in developing countries: A look at regenerative medicine innovation in Brazil, China and India

Few studies in developing countries have examined innovation in an emerging field such as regenerative medicine (RM). Here, we compare case studies of the RM sectors in Brazil, China and India to help understand RM innovation from a systemic perspective. Innovation in developing countries is usually described as a process of reverse engineering carried out by firms, but we argue that this description is not well suited to innovation in an emerging field such as RM. We show here that innovation in new emerging fields can occur in developing countries by diverse processes not yet discussed in the literature. We introduce the main types of actors in RM innovation, look at the interactions between users and producers, and discuss the advantages and challenges of innovating in RM that are faced by the emerging economies. We find that RM innovation in these countries is demand-driven and occurs under conditions unique to countries with lower-resources. We also find that firms play a smaller role in RM innovation at this stage, showing the importance of considering wider innovation actors in the study of novel innovation dynamics.

► We examined regenerative medicine (RM) innovation across China, India and Brazil.
► Many actors are involved in RM innovation, a globally immature high-tech field.
► RM innovation is not reverse engineered; new Southern innovation models are needed.
► RM innovation is demand-driven and can be locally appropriate.
► Characteristics of RM innovation are unique from those describing latecomers.