Summary of the Conference Call for Botao Bio Company Overview - **Company**: Botao Bio - **Investment**: Strategic investment in Qingshi Yongjun, focusing on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) [2][3] Key Industry Insights - **Market Potential**: Approximately 20 million patients globally suffer from treatment-resistant major depression, indicating a significant market opportunity [2][8] - **Current Treatment Landscape**: Existing treatments for TRD are largely ineffective, creating a gap for innovative solutions like those being developed by Qingshi Yongjun [8][9] Core Points and Arguments - **Strategic Investment**: Botao Bio's investment in Qingshi Yongjun is not purely financial; it aims to enhance R&D capabilities in the BCI field [2][3] - **Clinical Trials**: Initial clinical trial data shows promising results, with one patient reportedly cured after one week of treatment [2][6] - **Future Clinical Trials**: A formal clinical trial involving 100 patients is expected to start in the second half of 2026, pending successful preliminary results [7] - **Regulatory Pathway**: Botao Bio plans to obtain Class III medical device registration by around 2029, with a focus on promoting the product through top-tier hospitals [2][10] Financial Aspects - **Projected Costs**: Estimated treatment costs are around 500,000 CNY, with a product factory price of approximately 200,000 CNY [11] - **Funding Requirements**: Anticipated clinical and registration costs are over 100 million CNY, with plans for further investment in Qingshi Yongjun [12] Collaboration and Market Strategy - **Synergy with Qingshi Yongjun**: Both entities share a unified core team and are integrated with Zhejiang University’s research institute, enhancing their collaborative potential [4][5] - **Market Expansion Plans**: Botao Bio aims to expand into international markets, including obtaining FDA certification for the U.S. market [10][11] Additional Insights - **Impact of External Factors**: The suspension of U.S.-China tariffs and currency fluctuations have positively influenced Botao Bio's U.S. business outlook [4][18] - **IVD Industry Outlook**: The IVD industry is expected to show slight improvement in 2026, although competition remains fierce [21] - **Microfluidics Development**: Botao Bio is investing in microfluidics technology, targeting revenue goals of 500 million to 1 billion USD in the coming years [20] Conclusion Botao Bio is strategically positioning itself in the burgeoning field of brain-computer interfaces, particularly for treatment-resistant depression, with a robust plan for clinical trials and market expansion. The company is leveraging its financial resources and collaborative partnerships to navigate regulatory pathways and capitalize on significant market opportunities.