2.6亿专利官司缠身，梅花生物实控人又因操纵市场获刑

Core Viewpoint - Meihua Biological is facing significant legal and operational challenges, including a lawsuit from Ajinomoto Co., Inc. for patent infringement with a claim of 260 million yuan, and the imprisonment of its controlling shareholder for market manipulation, which raises concerns about the company's long-term growth potential despite recent improvements in profitability [1][4][7]. Legal Issues - Meihua Biological has been sued by Ajinomoto for allegedly infringing on two patents related to the production of monosodium glutamate, with a total compensation claim of 260 million yuan [2][3]. - Ajinomoto claims ownership of two patents: one for "microorganisms producing L-glutamic acid" and another for "methods for producing L-amino acids" [2]. - Meihua Biological asserts that it has a long-standing partnership with Ajinomoto and respects intellectual property rights, indicating ongoing collaborations in technology [3]. Management and Governance - The controlling shareholder, Meng Qingshan, was sentenced to three years in prison (with a five-year probation) for manipulating the securities market, which has raised governance concerns [4][5]. - Meng Qingshan's actions were linked to a non-public offering in 2013, where he manipulated stock prices to avoid losses related to trust agreements [4][5]. - Following his retirement in 2017, Meng no longer holds any position in the company, and Meihua Biological claims that his legal issues do not affect the company's operations [6]. Financial Performance - Meihua Biological's revenue and profit have experienced fluctuations, with revenues of 27.76 billion yuan and 25.07 billion yuan in 2023 and 2024, respectively, reflecting declines of 0.63% and 9.69% year-on-year [7]. - Despite a revenue decline in the first half of 2025, net profit increased by 19.96% to 1.768 billion yuan, attributed to improved sales of key products and reduced raw material costs [7]. - The company's third-quarter report for 2025 showed a slight revenue decrease of 2.49% but a significant net profit increase of 51.61%, reaching 3.025 billion yuan, driven by cost advantages and overseas acquisitions [8]. Industry Outlook - While recent profitability improvements are noted, industry experts caution that the company faces a "profit increase without revenue growth" scenario, indicating potential long-term revenue growth challenges [8]. - Meihua Biological is actively pursuing overseas acquisitions, such as the purchase of a major Japanese amino acid company, to enhance its global presence and drive future growth [8].