With the coming of spring, Dr. Basem Fares left his home in Israel with his wife and daughter and settled into the Golden Phoenix Talent Apartment on March 22. His start-up venture, Botanix-Med, has been included in the China-Israel Special Plan Under the “Changzhou Talent Program.” Dr. Fares and his family moved to Changzhou not just to prepare for intensive R&D efforts in CICP but also to start a new chapter of their life in this city.

　　Soon after his arrival, we reached out to Dr. Fares and met him and his project manager. During our interview, we learned that our tall, thin interviewee with the meticulous demeanor typical of a scientist obtained his doctoral degree in oncology from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 2019. With over 15 years of experience in cancer research, Dr. Fares has authored 11 articles in international scientific journals and holds two patents. As the R&D Director and Co-founder of Cannabotech (CNTC), a company listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, he developed FDA-approved botanical drugs for the treatment of cancer and related diseases. Dr. Fares is currently leading his team at Botanix-Med to develop botanical drugs for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

　　问答

　　Vivian：Dr. Fares, what motivated your decision to start a business focusing on botanical drugs for cancer prevention and treatment? Basem Fares：During my undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Haifa, I developed a strong interest in botanical drugs, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In our studies, we found that botanical drugs offer stable treatment and comparable efficacy to chemical drugs but with lower risks. Under the leadership of our mentor, we studied a species known as Trametes Mushroom, also referred to as Yun Zhi in TCM. In Western medicine, Trametes Mushroom is categorized as a type of medicinal mushroom. As part of its chief benefits, this mushroom helps boost the body’s immune function, inhibits tumor development, protects the liver, and alleviates leukopenia. The polysaccharide-K (PSK) in Trametes Mushroom can enhance the immune system against cancer and has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. Furthermore, botanical drugs are more affordable and accessible than chemical drugs, which makes them a potentially more competitive alternative.

　　From a market perspective, the pursuit of novel anti-tumor agents from natural resources is a key focus in cancer drug research. About 50% of research efforts are directed towards this area. The market value of botanical extracts was approximately $34.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $61.5 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as a leader in this market. China’s botanical extract market has seen consistent growth, as the scale grew from RMB 27.5 billion in 2017 to RMB 40.7 billion in 2021, and the market size is expected to exceed RMB 60 billion by 2025. This gives us reason to believe that innovative botanical drugs are a blue ocean market in the fiercely competitive pharmaceutical industry.

　　Vivian：Could you introduce the features and innovations of Botanix-Med’s botanical drug? Basem Fares：Our botanical drug stands out for its unique blend of botanical extracts from China and Israel. We have fully tapped into the therapeutic potential of natural botanical drugs in cancer treatment. Botanix-Med aims to treat cancer and cancer-related illnesses with natural botanical drugs to drive down the cost of treatment and avoid adverse effects associated with synthetic drugs. This will not only benefit cancer patients but also advance the innovation and development of TCM on a global scale. Vivian：What prompted your decision to launch your start-up in the park?

　　Basem Fares：The park reached out to me through our Chinese partners, and we had extensive discussions at the Israel Jiangsu Center. I learned about the robust industrial foundation and technological capacity of Changzhou’s life and health industry, as well as the park’sadvantages as a platform that provides customized services to match innovators and market players with the resources they need. This year, we decided to act fast and registered a company in the park. Through market research and data analysis, we identified the market positioning and advantages of our product. Apart from support and guidance from the park, we also benefited enormously from the valuable advice and instructions from industry experts and consultants, which enabled us better respond to both challenges and opportunities. The park provides us with “nanny services” in everyday life. We have benefited from the park’s attentive care from the moment we set foot on this land. The talent apartment offers a beautiful environment and excellent facilities. It makes us feel at home, which has helped us quickly adapt to the new living environment. At the same time, we have also connected with many fellow entrepreneurs from Israel. Their energy and innovative spirit fill us with anticipation for our future life in Changzhou. Vivian：Could you share your view on the current state and trends of TCM’s overseas development in Israel?

　　Basem Fares：Over recent years, TCM has gained widespread attention and recognition in the West, particularly in Israel, where many patients are actively seeking alternative treatment options beyond conventional medicine, and TCM happens to meet this demand. While many companies around the world are engaged in the production of botanical drugs, not all can efficiently maximize their patented benefits due to various reasons. We remain committed to innovation and aim to deliver unique and effective treatments by combining traditional Israeli botanical drugs with TCM through innovative extraction methods and building a comprehensive supply chain.

　　Vivian：What are your plans while living in the park? Basem Fares：I'm interested in TCM, and this weekend I will visit Menghe Medical School. My wife, Rasha, is an experienced financial professional and is currently providing financial support to my company. While in China, she hopes to expand her knowledge, particularly in import and export business. We're both sports enthusiasts, with Rasha being particularly interested in Pilates. During her stay in Changzhou, we hope to continue her Pilates practice and immerse ourselves in the local culture.