Ren Tao, researcher of high-throughput screening of new drugs. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"So when I learned that mass entrepreneurship and innovation were becoming a trend in China, I was eager to be a part of it."

With the experience he gained in academia and business during his studies in the US, Ren joined Liu Qingsong's team as the manager of their medicine startup founded in 2015.

The company has 20 new potential drugs against diseases, including leukemia, lung cancer and lymphoma. Some are about to enter clinical tests.

"In our 70-strong team, 25 are returnees from abroad," says Ren.

Lin Wenchu received his PhD from the University of Texas in 2006. He worked at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before returning to China in 2013.

"Many people thought that my career was stable in the US and asked me why I came back," recalls Lin. "But I always wanted to have my own lab and do my own research, and I got the opportunity here."

Lin, who specializes in cancer research using mouse models, created a laboratory-animal center on Science Island in 2014.

Last year, he set up a company that aims to develop new diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for personalized cancer care.

"It's been done in two years, and that would be impossible if I were in the US," says Lin.

He has also recruited two scientists from overseas－one from the US and the other from Germany.

"I post the jobs online and receive applications from around the world," says Lin.

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn