SOURCE / PRESS RELEASE
Botanee Establishes BTN French Research Center, Secures a Spot on the Global Stage of Efficacy Skincare
Published: Nov 15, 2023 06:43 PM
With the increasing demand from Chinese consumers for sensitive skincare products, skincare brands represented by Winona, as a representative of dermatological-grade skincare, are becoming increasingly popular. Compared with other foreign brands targeting sensitive skin, Winona, as a brand with a profound background in " Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical," uses Yunnan-specific medicinal plant ingredients that are more familiar to Chinese consumers. Therefore, Winona quickly stands out in the rapidly developing trend of efficacy skincare products, becoming a highly reputable and trusted health skincare brand in China.

Professor Laurence MICHEL (right), Head of the INSERM U976 Team at the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis, and WANG Feifei(left), Vice President of the Botanee Group, inaugurate the international joint laboratory.

Professor Laurence MICHEL (right), Head of the INSERM U976 Team at the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis, and WANG Feifei(left), Vice President of the Botanee Group, inaugurate the international joint laboratory.

On November 8th, the parent company of Winona, Botanee Group, held a grand signing ceremony with the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis in Paris, France. Simultaneously, they announced the official establishment of BTN French Research Center.

Since its establishment in 2010, Botanee Group has adhered to the guidance of clinical demands in dermatology, promoting industry research and development (R&D), and actively expanding international collaborative research projects. The establishment of a joint laboratory between the Botanee Group and the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis will combine cutting-edge expertise in dermatology from China and France and be oriented to clinical needs, aiming to create a new benchmark for international medical research cooperation. It contributes to the establishment of an international healthy skin ecosystem.

The establishment of BTN French Research Center will be a milestone for Botanee Group's cooperation with international authoritative research institutions. It also represents a new starting point for Botanee Group to promote the internationalization of the " Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical " model.

"Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical " Model Goes Global

Vice President WANG Feifei (first from left), Professor Philippe HUMBERT (second from left), Professor Laurence MICHEL (first from right) and Professor Louis DUBERTRET (second from right) at the inauguration ceremony of BTN French Research Center.

Vice President WANG Feifei (first from left), Professor Philippe HUMBERT (second from left), Professor Laurence MICHEL (first from right) and Professor Louis DUBERTRET (second from right) at the inauguration ceremony of BTN French Research Center.


In the context of an increased emphasis on R&D, domestic cosmetics brands in China have rapidly risen in recent years, gradually reclaiming the "home advantage" of Chinese manufacturing. Leveraging the advantages of Yunnan's local natural plant resources, Botanee Group has established two core competitive strengths, "Plant Technology" and " Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical," creating a technological barrier for its skincare brands. Constantly breaking through innovations in R&D, utilizing technology to extract and gently formulate the natural effectiveness of Yunnan plant resources, Botanee Group has stood out among domestic skincare brands, addressing the issues faced by Chinese consumers with sensitive skin.

In a testament to its commitment to excellence, Botanee Group has forged partnerships with world-renowned hospitals and academic institutions on an international scale. The collaboration stands as a resounding affirmation and inspiration for the brand. The "Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical" R&D model has been a cornerstone of Botanee's success. Botanee Group closely work with 82 top dermatologists and have done 63 clinical validations in top hospitals of dermatology.  Researchers have published more than 200 basic research and clinical validation papers.  In addition, the group participated in the drafting of 15 national expert guides and consensus, as well as 31 industrial standards.

As a health industry group dedicated to creating a Chinese skin health ecosystem, Botanee has delved into the field of problematic skin for many years. Through a unique "Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical " model, it has established brand medical barriers and cultivated a closed loop for skin health consumer ecology through selection, breakthrough, and reconstruction. This has benefited numerous Chinese consumers with sensitive skin, helping them regain healthy skin. This development holds significant implications for advancing international academic research in dermatology.

Collaborating with French Skin Experts to Upgrade Innovative Research 2.0

The signing of the joint laboratory and establishment of BTN French Research Center took place at the Wax Museum in Hospital Saint-Louis. Hospital Saint-Louis, founded by Henry IV in 1605-1606, has a history of more than 400 years. The hospital established the world's first school of dermatology, attracting numerous students, doctors, and medical enthusiasts to study dermatology, playing a crucial role in global dermatological research. It has played a pivotal role in dermatological research since its inception, boasting a rich legacy as the pioneer in dermatology education. The unique setting of the Wax Museum, a testament to the cultural heritage of dermatology worldwide, served as the backdrop for this significant event. The ceremony paid homage to the pioneers of dermatological research and aimed to elevate skin-related studies to new heights. 

Philippe Humbert, professor and former director of the Skin Research Center at the University of Franche-Comté and Director of the French Cosmetic Monitoring Center (CERT), also serves as the scientific consultant for Botanee Group. As one of the earliest international experts to be acquainted with the Winona brand, he has participated in several international clinical observations of Winona products, witnessing the growth and development of Botanee Group. 

"I have known Botanee Group and Winona for several years, and I am deeply impressed by the company's vision and unique philosophy. Winona is at the forefront of research on sensitive skin," said Professor Humbert at the event. "Its success is attributed to the clinical studies conducted by numerous dermatologists and the rich plant resources in the Yunnan region. With years of experience, I can confidently say that the Winona product series has secured a significant position in global laboratories and will rapidly spread in the international market."

The R&D strength of the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis provides strong support for this cooperation, which is exactly what Botanee Group's "Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical" R&D model needs, and this in-depth cooperation is more conducive to promoting the exchange and sharing of Chinese and French experts on the basic research of problematic skin, and to jointly promote the further development of the international dermatology research and its practical application. It is believed that in the near future, this collaboration will bring more superior solutions for individuals with problematic skin.

Global Strategy to Build a Local Strong Brand

Professor Dubertret, a distinguished figure in the French dermatological landscape, also participated in this event. Widely acknowledged for his in-depth research on diverse skin conditions, Dubertret has received prestigious accolades, including the esteemed Galien Award. Dubertret's wealth of expertise contributes to cutting-edge advancements in dermatological research. "BTN is working on plants and plants are the origin of a lot of very important medicine effective component. We are very excited to learn more about plant extracts," said the professor.

"The long history of Hospital Saint-Louis in skin disease research, coupled with its strong research capabilities dedicated to solving skin problems for numerous patients, aligns perfectly with the goals of Botanee Group," said Wang Feifei, a vice president of the Botanee Group and Executive Director of Botanee Research Institute.

Professor Laurence Michel, head of the INSERM U976 Team at the Skin Research Center in Hospital Saint-Louis in France, said, "I believe that Botanee Group possesses high professional knowledge and reputation standards in dermatological research and product development. Their strong collaboration with many dermatological experts in China demonstrates remarkable innovation and research capabilities."

With the support of "Plant Technology" and "Industry, Academia, Research, and Medical" model, the establishment of Botanee Group's France Research Center signifies a renewed enhancement of the group's R&D capabilities and the forefront and globalization of clinical medical research. 

Leveraging the vitality and core competitiveness of the group, various health skincare products under its brands will generate new research outcomes through the collaborative efforts of domestic and international dermatological experts. This collaboration aims to contribute to the establishment of a global skin health ecosystem. With a global strategy, the group is set to create a local powerhouse brand, driving the development and application of international dermatological research and sharing China's natural scientific beauty with the world.