A distinguishing feature of PharmaEssentia Corp. is that it was founded by a team of professionals from US. This differs from the other more commonly recognized Taiwanese biotechnology research companies which were founded by a single individual having returned to Taiwan from US. PharmaEssentia Corp. is able to give drug research its undivided attention, and is planning to set up branch operations in US to collect the latest information and know-hows from around the world about drug manufacturing. In so doing, PharmaEssentia Corp. can continuously monitor the pulse of new drug research and manufacturing internationally, while facilitating the progress of its own advanced research. Simultaneously, multiple laboratories are established within the company’s local operation, which closely cooperate with many important Taiwanese biomedical research organizations such as Academia Sinica, the National Taiwan University College of Medicine, the Biotech Incubation Center, and the National Defense Medical Center. In addition, PharmaEssentia has also formed strategic alliance with a number of Taiwanese private enterprises to conduct joint researches.

　　The development plan for PharmaEssentia has three phases: short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term. The company’s products include heart drugs, cancer drugs, all-new hepatitis drugs, special drugs for research purposes, and drug materials. Revenue in 2004 was NT$18 million, and is projected to grow to NT$ 100 million in 2005, and 300 million in 2006. Sometime between 2007 and 2008, the company is expected to turn a profit based on this trend.

　　The leader of PharmaEssentia's research team is Dr. Shen. Dr. Shen grew up in Taiwan. Following his graduation from the National Taiwan University with a chemistry degree, he went to US to further his studies, specializing in biochemistry while pursuing a degree in immunology and genetics. Later he became more involved with medical and drug research, and specialized in self-immuno diseases and controlling mechanisms against multiple inflammatory diseases, especially with respect to bio-drugs treating hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C. Dr. Shen conducted 4 years of post-doctoral research at Harvard medical school, and also worked for such US drug research heavyweights as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Incyte Genomics, and Pharmacia. He is in all respects a fine and professional drug researcher. Dr. Shen, Dr. F. K. Lin and Dr. C. L. Teng are old acquaintances from the same profession who have paid close attention to the latest development in Taiwan's medical and drug research. At the 2002 Annual FDA Science Forum, Dr. Shen, at the invitation of Dr. Lin and Dr. Teng, made up his mind to leave his well-paid position in the US, and to participate instead in an entrepreneurial effort in Taiwan at the end of 2003. What motivated Dr. Shen to make this decision was his realization of Taiwan's potential in bio-drug research in terms of technology, facilities, and human talents. This was coincided by the Taiwanese government's relentless support in this area in recent years, and Taiwan's ability to conduct world-class clinical research in the prevention of hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C. All these factors contributed to making Taiwan a favorable environment for entrepreneurship now.

　　Although the level of his salary is not on par with what he received in US, Dr. Shen is nonetheless thankful for the measure taken by the Taiwanese government to boost the income of those overseas returnees working in the hi-tech fields like himself. The company's employee stock allocation program has also helped to impress him with the company's vision and the mission to fulfill it. On the question of how best to recruit overseas hi-tech talents, Dr. Shen believes that it is important that Taiwan provides measures that can make the transition of recruits' family members (especially school-age children) to the new environment a smooth process. This will in turn put the recruits' mind at ease during their transition. With regard to adapting to Taiwan's lifestyle, Dr. Shen feels that, despite having lived in US for nearly 20 years, he is readjusting to his birthplace quite well. He even indicates that, in comparison to US, many aspects of living in Taiwan are more convenient, not less.