The product we are currently developing is a lozenge designed to alleviate and treat the symptoms of esophageal cancer. Our journey began with a comprehensive consultation with an experienced doctor to understand the challenges faced by patients and to assess the market prospects for our product. This conversation helped us align our product's development with the medical needs and safety standards required to effectively address esophageal cancer symptoms. Following this, we had a meeting with a company boss to discuss our product concept, sales targets, and its commercial value in the market. His feedback was instrumental in refining our product design and ensuring it has the potential for both market success and social impact. With these insights in mind, we finalized the formulation of the lozenge and entered the experimental phase to test its efficacy.
The original intention behind this product is twofold: first, to raise awareness of esophageal cancer among the public by educating them about its causes and symptoms. This can lead to earlier detection and prevention, significantly reducing the number of cases in the long run. Second, for those who are already suffering from the illness, our lozenge offers a non-invasive, easy-to-administer treatment option that can help manage and relieve their symptoms. Our hope is to reduce the physical burden on patients, allowing them to experience a better quality of life and see a clearer path to recovery.
This product has the potential to contribute to the broader societal goal of improving public health outcomes. By focusing on both prevention and treatment, we aim to address the root causes of esophageal cancer while simultaneously offering support to those already affected. Our educational efforts could lead to a decrease in new cases, reducing the strain on healthcare resources and helping to lower mortality rates. At the same time, the lozenge offers an accessible solution for patients in need of symptom relief, especially in areas where advanced medical treatments may not be readily available. By improving patients' quality of life, the product can also enable them to remain more active in their daily lives and communities, thereby reducing the overall socio-economic impact of the disease. In this way, our lozenge not only serves individual patients but also contributes to the overall well-being of society.

Dr.Jiang:
To get a more professional insight into our project, we interviewed Dr. Jiang from Peking University People’s Hospital and asked him some questions. First, we asked the demand of the population for the oesophageal lozenge. Fortunately, Dr. Jiang said there’s only a few similar products on the market and if we can invent it, then it’s very likely to monopolize the market. Consequently, we can set the price ourselves and don' t have to worry about staying competitive to other competitors.
Second, we also asked what form he would suggest our product to be in: whether producing a lozenge, a spray, or powdered, and if different product forms should apply different age groups according to their needs. Regarding to this, Dr. Jiang suggested powder and lozenge are the forms we can consider as they cover a large area of our oesophagus, which ensures efficient treatment. Thanks to this piece of information, we decided to make our product as a lozenge. Moreover, Dr. Jiang also agreed that we could slightly alter the function of lozenge to satisfy different needs of the population. For instance, in the case of heat stress, we can create a lozenge that reduces swelling to constrict blood vessels so that there's less impacts on our oesophagus.
Last, we asked what are the side effects of products like ours and how can we minimize them. Luckily, since our product is made of protein which is also found in our body, consuming it will have no side effects. However, Dr. Jiang did point out that it's helpful to specifically illustrate that point on our website, so that consumers are fully aware of the lozenge's uniqueness.
Overall, it was an enriching experience to interview Dr. Jiang and get some professional responses from him. His suggestions cleared up our doubts about the invention of the lozenge as well as boosted our confidence!

CEO:
In addition to the interview with Dr.Jiang, we also had an opportunity to interview the CEO of Zhongyan Zichuang(Beijing) Biotechnology Co.Ltd, Mr.Luo and asked him some questions about the current market for our lozenge. First, the good news is, the relevant research on the prevention of oesophageal diseases is promising. In terms of the survival of the lozenge, the early stage can choose to focus on oesophageal mucosa, and the future extension needs to be considered. In future, it can combine with smoking and weight control market which still have a lot of development space.(Think about Wong Lo Kat with Hot Pot Restaurant)
Second, considering cost control, the estimated cost is around 1.3 yuan a capsule. We are planning to pack 15 ~ 20 capsules in one package, which will cost about 20 yuan. Therefore, the pricing should be around 80 ~ 100 yuan.
Third, marketing methods should be diverse. For instance, word of mouth, relate with another concept such as hotpot so that most hot pot restaurants can help promoting our products. Additionally, we also did some research and found Naobaijin capsule’s promotion method sets us a good example. Its slogan is so brainwashing that people immediately think of it when deciding what gift to buy for elderlies. Similarly, we can use this method by displaying our lozenge in hotpot restaurants, so that we can attract more potential customers and establish a clear brand image. Consequently, people will also relate to our lozenge when their oesophagus feels uncomfortable.
Last but not least, Mr. Luo advocated us to pay close attention to the finished product and drug effect. If the functional protein binding effects are positive, then it will be easy to sell to customers. Moreover, it will also be easier to apply for a patent and the acquisition cost can reach tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands yuan.
In conclusion, Mr. Luo provided us with some useful tips in product promotion and price. With his help, we believe we can sell the lozenge to customers with little obstacles, so more our product can reach a wider range of customers and be more impactful, as well as the possibility to generate a considerable amount of profits.

In our online meeting, we mainly popularized the relevant knowledge about esophageal cancer. The following is what we know about the symptoms of esophageal cancer:
1. Progressive dysphagia is a common clinical manifestation of esophageal cancer. When patients swallow food, there is temporary poststernal food retention, such as the sensation of gas blocking food, especially when they take the first bite of food in the morning. In the early stages of the disease, because the lump is relatively small, it has little impact on eating, so it is easy to be ignored. When the mass is gradually enlarged and the esophageal cavity is narrow, the patient has progressive dysphagia.
It is difficult to swallow dry food at first, then semi-liquid food, and finally even saliva and water can not be swallowed.
2. Obvious sensation of eating foreign objects
3. Difficulty swallowing liquid
4. Hoarseness
5. Pain behind sternum . When patients have difficulty swallowing food, they may have a feeling of pain behind the sternum, manifested as dull pain and burning pain, which worsens with eating. If the food is hot, the food is acidic, and the pain is more obvious. The pain can be relieved after the food is swallowed.
6. The advanced tumor completely blocked the esophagus and made it impossible to swallow.
7. The tumor may spread and cause pain in other parts of the body

In order to spread awareness of oesophageal cancer and our lozenge, we decided to go to Sanlitun (Beijing), a large and populated shopping mall to hand out leaflets and interact with the public.

It was an enriching experience to educate the public more about the cancer and out product, and team members who participated all enjoyed the process.

Gender and Age Distribution:
Gender: There are more male participants (241) than female participants (191). Age: The majority of participants are in the 15-20 age range (222), followed by 21-25 (55) and 31-40 (44).

Occupation Distribution:
Students make up the largest group (255), which aligns with the age distribution.

Food Preferences:
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most commonly consumed food type, with 352 people reporting frequent consumption. Spicy foods (278 people) and whole grains (242 people) are also frequently consumed.

Knowledge of Esophageal Cancer:
346 people indicate that they do not know the early symptoms of esophageal cancer, suggesting a low public awareness of the early symptoms of esophageal cancer.

Treatment Effectiveness:
209 people are unsure about the effectiveness of the treatment, 157 people believe it is effective, and 66 people believe it is not, indicating uncertainty and disagreement about the effectiveness of esophageal cancer treatment.

Price Sensitivity:
332 people indicate that they do not know or have not understood the cost sensitivity of esophageal cancer-related drugs and treatments, suggesting a lack of awareness about the cost of treatment for esophageal cancer.

Information Access Channels:
Internet is the primary channel for obtaining information about esophageal cancer, with 365 people accessing information through the internet. Doctors (135 people) and health lectures (106 people) are also used as information sources.

Difficulty in Accessing Information:
217 people indicate that they have not understood any information about esophageal cancer, 138 people believe that information is easy to access, and 77people believe it is not, indicating differences in the accessibility of information.

Willingness to Attend Health Lectures:
170 people are willing to attend health lectures or promotional activities on esophageal cancer, 183 people are uncertain, and 79 people are not willing, suggesting a certain proportion of people are open to participating in health education activities.

Willingness to Purchase Preventive Products:
213 people are willing to purchase products to prevent esophageal damage, 159 people are uncertain, and 60 people are not willing, indicating potential market demand for preventive products.

Acceptable Prices:
156 people are willing to pay 0-50 yuan for preventive products to prevent esophageal damage, 111people are willing to pay 50-100 yuan, 100 people are willing to pay 100-200 yuan, and 65 people are willing to pay more than 200 yuan, providing preliminary guidance for potential market pricing strategies.

As part of our market research, our members interviewed the son of a middle-aged to high-grade esophageal cancer patient to find out how they view today's esophageal cancer treatments, prognosis, and related medications from the perspective of both the patient and the patient's family. The patient is male, over 60 years old, and lives in Sichuan, China. The patient reported experiencing symptoms such as "difficulty swallowing" prior to the diagnosis of esophageal cancer, which is consistent with our research on symptoms in the early stages of esophageal cancer. The patient was treated for esophageal cancer with the most common treatment: "surgical resection" and "radiation therapy". When they were told that they would have to undergo a partial resection of the esophagus, the patients and their families were concerned about the costs, risks, and recovery after the surgery. This suggests that the existing treatment options are characterized by high risk and poor prognosis. Emerging therapeutic strategies, such as "immunotherapy" and "molecular targeted therapy" are still in the research literature and clinical exploration period. Therefore, this project focuses on the prevention of esophageal cancer, avoiding high-risk treatments to the maximum extent possible, and radically reducing the probability of esophageal cancer. In addition, the patient's family indicated that the most difficult part of the surgical process and the postoperative recovery period still lies in the change of dietary habits. The patient's dietary habits before the diagnosis of esophageal cancer favored pickled foods and hot foods, while the diet had to be kept light in the postoperative period. The change in diet is very difficult for the patient to adapt to, and there is always the risk of recurrence. The patient's medications in the postoperative period were still largely dependent on prescription medications, which were affordable. We asked the patient and his family, "If there was a class of health videos (prophylactics) that could prevent esophageal cancer, would you be willing to purchase them?" The answer was clearly in the affirmative.

The focus of our scientific research is to develop a lozenge that can protect the esophagus, typically used after consuming hotpot or very spicy and hot food. We have conducted two weeks of scientific research and have also carried out business-related promotions. These include interviewing the CEO of private companies to gather their perspectives on our medication, as well as consulting Dr. Jiang for his opinions on our drug. Additionally, we have produced a video related to the esophagus. The questionnaire survey aimed to understand respondents' basic information, habits, and knowledge about esophageal cancer and its treatment. A total of 468 responses were received, with 55.13% male and 44.87% female, mainly concentrated in the 15 - 25 age range (63.89%) and 31 - 40 age range (9.83%). Most respondents were non - smokers (80.13%), and 51.71% did not drink alcohol. They commonly consumed fresh fruits and vegetables (80.56%) and spicy food (64.74%), while fewer frequently ate hot food (40.17%) and barbecued food (50.21). Most respondents did not know the early symptoms of esophageal cancer (80.34%), and there was uncertainty and controversy about the effectiveness of the treatment (36.32% said yes, 15.81% said no, 47.86% said not sure). Respondents mainly obtained information about esophageal cancer through the Internet (79.49%), and 39.1% were willing to participate in related health lectures or activities. Most (50.21%) were willing to buy lozenges that could prevent and relieve esophageal damage, with 35.47% willing to pay $0 - 50 and 25.85% willing to pay $50 - 100.
In the Integrated HP project, the product being developed is a lozenge to alleviate and treat esophageal cancer symptoms. Consultations with a doctor and a company boss helped refine the product's development and commercial value. The product aims to raise awareness of esophageal cancer and provide a non - invasive treatment option, contributing to improving public health outcomes by focusing on prevention and treatment.
The data statistics showed that there were more male participants (241) than female participants (191), with the majority in the 15 - 20 age range (222). Students were the largest occupational group. Fresh fruits and vegetables were the most commonly consumed food, and many people did not know the early symptoms of esophageal cancer or the cost sensitivity of related drugs and treatments. The Internet was the primary information source, and there was a certain proportion of people willing to attend health lectures and purchase preventive products.
Interviews with Dr. Jiang and the CEO provided valuable insights. Dr. Jiang suggested powder and lozenge as suitable forms, and the product made of protein would have no side effects. The CEO mentioned promising research on esophageal disease prevention, estimated costs, and diverse marketing methods. The survey from the perspective of an esophageal cancer patient's family indicated that the existing treatment options had high risks and poor prognosis. The project focuses on prevention to reduce the risk of cancer. The patient's family was willing to buy preventive health products.
Overall, there is a need to strengthen public awareness of esophageal cancer, and the lozenge product has potential in the market. Further research, education, and marketing efforts are needed to promote the product and improve public health.