Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for Huaxi Biological [2] Core Views - Huaxi Biological is currently undergoing a systematic adjustment phase, with initial positive results on the profit front. The company reported a revenue of 2.261 billion (down 19.57% year-on-year) and a net profit attributable to the parent company of 221 million (down 35.38%) for the first half of 2025. However, the second quarter showed a turning point with a net profit of 119 million, up 20.89% year-on-year [2][3] - The company is focusing on strategic marketing reductions and effective cost control, leading to a recovery in profitability. The gross margin for the first half of 2025 was 70.99% (down 3.53 percentage points), while the net margin was 9.77% (down 2.39 percentage points) [2][3] - The report highlights the resilience of the sales of Class III medical devices, despite a decline in the skin science innovation transformation business, which saw a revenue drop of 33.97% [2][3] Financial Summary - For 2025, the expected total revenue is 4.959 billion (down 7.7% year-on-year), with a projected net profit of 458 million (up 162.9% year-on-year). The earnings per share are expected to be 0.95 yuan, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 58 [4][9] - The company’s total market capitalization is approximately 26.695 billion, with a current share price of 55.42 yuan and a target price of 64.13 yuan [4][5] - The report anticipates a recovery in the core business operations, with projected net profits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 being 458 million, 618 million, and 748 million respectively [2][4]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing discussion in the medical aesthetics industry regarding recombinant collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) has been fueled by a recent article from Huaxi Biological, which challenges the one-sided views presented in some research reports about HA's efficacy and market value [1][2]. Industry Discussion - The debate began when a collagen company compared recombinant collagen and HA in its IPO prospectus, leading to a perception that recombinant collagen has advantages, which was echoed in various research reports [2]. - This perception has caused a misalignment in consumer understanding of HA's benefits and has impacted the market trust in HA, a sector where China holds a competitive edge [2]. - Huaxi Biological emphasizes that the scientific value and anti-aging properties of HA have been validated by numerous studies published in top journals, with a significant increase in research output since 2010 [2]. Research Report Critique - Industry experts note that while it is normal for research reports to focus on emerging technologies, they must be grounded in scientific analysis to avoid skewing perceptions and affecting industry development [3]. - Huaxi Biological's response to certain reports aims to uphold the scientific foundation of the industry and prevent speculative trading from disrupting technological advancements [3]. Challenges in Research Reports - The rapid evolution of capital market trends has led to challenges in the independence and professionalism of some research reports, which may deviate from objective principles [4]. - Some reports exhibit limitations in understanding the HA and collagen industries, lacking thorough analysis of core product mechanisms and scientific validation [4]. - There is a noticeable issue of content homogenization among reports, with many relying on mutual citations rather than original research, which undermines the credibility of their conclusions [4]. Market Influence on Research Independence - Research institutions play a crucial role in information dissemination, and their objectivity is vital, especially when market trends create hot concepts that may lead to superficial analyses [5]. - The balance between short-term market demands and long-term industry growth remains a challenge for research reports [5]. Collaborative Efforts for a Rational Capital Ecosystem - Huaxi Biological advocates for the improvement of research report quality to foster a rational discussion in the capital market and promote scientific rigor [6]. - Enhancing report quality requires collaborative efforts across the industry, emphasizing the need for in-depth field research and firsthand data collection [6]. - Reports should establish a comprehensive analytical framework that includes various data sources to avoid one-sided conclusions and provide investors with a holistic view [6]. Upholding Professional Independence - The core value of research reports lies in their ability to connect industry innovation with value investment through professional analysis [7]. - Reports must respect scientific principles and market dynamics, avoiding oversimplification of complex technologies and refraining from promoting short-term speculation [7].

Core Insights - Huaxi Biological Technology Co., Ltd. reported its worst interim results since its listing, with a revenue of 2.261 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 19.57%, and a net profit of 221 million yuan, down 35.38% [2][3] Business Performance - The three main business segments of Huaxi Biological all experienced declines: the skin science innovation transformation business fell by 33.97% to 912 million yuan, accounting for 40.36% of total revenue; the raw materials business saw a slight decrease of 0.58% to 626 million yuan, making up 27.7% of revenue; and the medical terminal business dropped by 9.44% to 673 million yuan, representing 29.77% of revenue [3][9] - The company faced significant profit pressure due to credit impairment, asset impairment, and personnel optimization, with a total of 48.37 million yuan in impairment losses reported in the second quarter [3] Management Issues - Internal management problems have surfaced, including a financial fraud scandal involving a former marketing director, which has led to public disputes and allegations of financial misconduct [5] - The company has undergone significant management changes, with a focus on reforming its operational structure and reducing reliance on external management [6][7] Strategic Reforms - Founder Zhao Yan returned to the company to implement major reforms, including a crackdown on corruption and a shift towards hiring entrepreneurial talent for management positions [6][7] - Huaxi Biological is concentrating its resources on high-margin core segments, specifically raw materials and medical terminal businesses, which contributed over 57% of its main business revenue in the first half of 2025 [9][10] Research and Development Focus - The company has reduced its R&D projects significantly, focusing on raw materials and medical terminal businesses, while sales expenses decreased by 31.44% to 808 million yuan [8] - Despite the challenges, there are signs of marginal recovery, with a net profit of 119 million yuan in the second quarter of 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 20.89% [8]

Core Viewpoint - The company's performance is under short-term pressure due to strategic adjustments, with a decline in revenue and net profit in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved revenue of 1.79 billion yuan, down 7.05% year-on-year, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 108 million yuan, down 15.16% year-on-year [1] - In Q2 2025, the company reported revenue of 914 million yuan, a decrease of 11.72% year-on-year, and a net profit of 57 million yuan, down 16.07% year-on-year [1] Group 2: Cosmetics Segment - The cosmetics segment generated revenue of 568 million yuan in Q2 2025, down 11.5% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 62.85%, an increase of 2.2 percentage points year-on-year [1] - The Yilian brand achieved revenue of 304 million yuan in Q2, up 23.08% year-on-year, benefiting from successful marketing activities [1] - The Ai'er Doctor brand reported revenue of 215 million yuan in Q2, down 38.75% year-on-year, currently undergoing a strategic adjustment [1] - The new brand Kemi performed well, with sales of collagen products exceeding 14 million yuan in the first half of the year [1] Group 3: Pharmaceutical Segment - The pharmaceutical segment's revenue in Q2 2025 was 99 million yuan, down 24.4% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 48.53%, a decrease of 1.3 percentage points year-on-year [2] Group 4: Raw Materials and Additives Segment - The raw materials and additives segment achieved revenue of 93 million yuan in Q2 2025, up 5.3% year-on-year, with a gross margin of 42.22%, down 6.2 percentage points year-on-year [3] - The growth in this segment was driven by product structure optimization, while the decline in gross margin was due to intensified industry competition [3] - The hyaluronic acid raw material business generated revenue of 116 million yuan in the first half of the year, up 23.4% year-on-year, with high-margin pharmaceutical-grade hyaluronic acid sales increasing significantly [3] Group 5: Overall Financial Metrics - In Q2 2025, the company's gross margin and net profit margin were 53.35% and 7.80%, respectively, with a year-on-year increase of 0.60 percentage points and a decrease of 0.24 percentage points [3] - The overall expense ratio increased due to revenue pressure, with sales, management, and R&D expense ratios rising year-on-year [3] - The company's operational capability and cash flow remained stable [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent controversy surrounding Juzhi Biotechnology (巨子生物) and its admission of limitations in quality standards and testing methods, which has raised further questions about the integrity of its products and the broader implications for the industry [2][4][10]. Group 1: Company Response and Market Impact - Juzhi Biotechnology acknowledged its limitations in quality standards and testing methods, marking a significant shift from its previous defensive stance against accusations regarding its collagen products [4][10]. - Following the controversy, Juzhi's stock price fell from 87.1 HKD to 53.9 HKD, resulting in a market capitalization loss of over 330 billion HKD [10]. - The company's internal investor meeting indicated confidence in recovering from short-term impacts, despite the ongoing public skepticism [4][11]. Group 2: Industry Context and Competition - The controversy highlights a broader "ingredient war" between Juzhi Biotechnology and Huaxi Biotechnology (华熙生物), with both companies competing in the collagen and hyaluronic acid markets [14][15]. - Huaxi Biotechnology, a leader in the hyaluronic acid market, has criticized Juzhi's claims about collagen superiority, emphasizing the lack of scientific basis for such assertions [15][16]. - The article suggests that the current lack of unified testing standards in the collagen industry poses challenges for quality control and consumer trust [17][19]. Group 3: Consumer Trust and Market Dynamics - The incident has led to a decline in consumer trust, particularly among core users who prioritize ingredient efficacy, which could have long-term repercussions for Juzhi's brand reputation [12][13]. - The article notes a shift in consumer behavior towards more informed purchasing decisions, moving from concept-driven marketing to a focus on ingredient transparency and scientific validation [23][24]. - The controversy may catalyze regulatory changes and industry standards, potentially leading to a market reshuffle where companies lacking core R&D capabilities may struggle to survive [22][24].

Core Viewpoint - The recent debate in the medical beauty industry regarding "recombinant collagen" has led to significant stock price fluctuations for leading companies, particularly Huaxi Biological and Juzhi Biological, with Huaxi denying any "business war" motives behind its actions [1][5]. Group 1: Market Reactions and Company Performance - From May 24 to June 18, Huaxi Biological's stock price increased by 23.65%, while Juzhi Biological's stock price fell by over 31% during the same period [1]. - As of June 18, Juzhi Biological's market capitalization was approximately 514 billion RMB, while Huaxi Biological's market capitalization was 245 billion RMB, less than half of Juzhi's [1]. Group 2: Opposition to "Name Games" - Huaxi Biological firmly opposes the "name game" in ingredient labeling, arguing that the capital market's concept switching has led to misunderstandings about hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen, affecting the business environment and causing resource misallocation [2][3]. - The company emphasizes that recombinant collagen is only a small part of collagen research and that the leading edge of protein research remains with life science institutions and pharmaceutical companies [3]. Group 3: Industry Standards and Scientific Communication - Huaxi Biological highlights that no medical beauty Class III device certificates based on recombinant collagen have been approved internationally, indicating that this field requires more time for practical observation [3]. - The company plans to enhance professional communication with the capital market, noting that many analysts lack a biological background and often misinterpret the relationship between hyaluronic acid and collagen [4]. Group 4: Denial of Business War Claims - Huaxi Biological denies rumors that its recent actions are motivated by a "business war" due to pressure on its hyaluronic acid business and competition losses in recombinant collagen [5][6]. - The company asserts that its business has not been under pressure as claimed, with hyaluronic acid business growing over 10% annually and medical-grade hyaluronic acid growing over 20% [6]. Group 5: Consumer Trust and Market Integrity - Huaxi Biological argues that consumer trust in domestic brands should not be built on the misuse of academic concepts and misleading marketing practices, which could distort the business ecosystem and lead to resource misallocation [7]. - The company calls for industry-wide participation in product testing and standard discussions to enhance understanding and eliminate industry bubbles and misconceptions [7]. Group 6: Timeline of Events - The controversy began in mid-May when Huaxi Biological questioned several brokerage reports that promoted recombinant collagen and criticized hyaluronic acid [8]. - On May 24, beauty blogger "Big Mouth Doctor" Hao Yu publicly questioned the collagen content in Juzhi Biological's products, leading to further disputes [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The article addresses misleading perceptions in the capital market regarding hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen, emphasizing the need to correct these misconceptions to avoid resource misallocation and risks for companies like Huaxi Bio [1][2]. Industry Perspective - Recombinant collagen is a small branch of collagen research and industrial transformation, with the main advancements still held by life science research institutions and pharmaceutical companies [1]. - In 2024, China's hyaluronic acid exports reached 161 tons, with 11.8 tons being high-end pharmaceutical-grade, while recombinant collagen exports were less than 0.02 tons, indicating a lack of market support for the notion that recombinant collagen is replacing hyaluronic acid [2][3]. - The growth rate for hyaluronic acid in the domestic and international markets is over 10%, with Huaxi Bio's pharmaceutical-grade hyaluronic acid showing over 20% growth, contradicting claims of market pressure [3]. Company Performance - Huaxi Bio's performance decline is attributed to a drop in consumer goods business and one-time asset impairment losses, rather than competition from recombinant collagen [3]. - The company maintains a high profit margin of around 50% across its active ingredient and medical terminal businesses, with significant revenue contributions from hyaluronic acid [3]. Market Dynamics - Recent successful companies in the skincare sector are not solely due to the rise of recombinant collagen but are also driven by strong e-commerce capabilities and complex formulations [4]. - The article highlights the misuse of the term "recombinant collagen" by some companies, which may mislead consumers and investors, emphasizing the need for a credible market environment [5][8]. Regulatory and Scientific Standards - There is a lack of detection standards for recombinant collagen, leading to the misuse of the term and potential consumer deception [8]. - The company advocates for a collaborative approach among professionals, testing institutions, and media to enhance understanding and improve the industry ecosystem [7][9].

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding Juzhibio, a leading domestic cosmetics company, stems from allegations of ingredient fraud, particularly regarding its flagship product, "Kefumei" collagen stick, which has been accused of having significantly lower collagen content than claimed [1][2][3] Group 1: Impact on Company Valuation - Juzhibio's stock price has dropped approximately 30%, from a peak of 87 HKD per share to around 60 HKD, resulting in a market capitalization decline from over 900 billion HKD to about 650 billion HKD [3][22] - The allegations of ingredient fraud have severely impacted Juzhibio's market trust and financial standing, leading to a significant loss of over 250 billion HKD in market value within a short period [22] Group 2: Competitive Dynamics - The allegations against Juzhibio are not merely a case of a blogger exposing fraud but are linked to competitive tensions with Huaxi Biological, which has openly supported the allegations and has a financial stake in the blogger's company [2][5][6] - The conflict between Juzhibio and Huaxi Biological represents a broader battle for market dominance in the domestic skincare industry, reminiscent of past rivalries in the sector [5][6] Group 3: Ingredient Controversy - The core of the dispute lies in the ingredient claims, particularly the presence and concentration of recombinant human collagen, which is a key selling point for Juzhibio's products [12][16] - The rise of the "ingredient-focused" consumer trend has shifted market dynamics, with consumers increasingly prioritizing the efficacy and transparency of product ingredients [14][15] Group 4: Financial and Operational Insights - Juzhibio's operational model is characterized by low research and development (R&D) investment, with R&D expenses for 2024 amounting to only 1.07 billion CNY, representing just 1.9% of total revenue [18] - In contrast, Huaxi Biological invests significantly more in R&D, with a proportion of 8.68%, highlighting a structural difference in their approaches to innovation and product development [18] Group 5: Marketing Strategies - Juzhibio has heavily relied on marketing, with sales and distribution expenses reaching 20.08 billion CNY in 2024, accounting for 36.3% of total revenue, which is 19 times its R&D spending [18][19] - The company's strategy includes partnerships with top influencers, such as Li Jiaqi, to enhance brand visibility and consumer engagement [19][20] Group 6: Valuation Concerns - Juzhibio's current rolling price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 29.5, which is significantly higher than the typical P/E ratio for consumer stocks, indicating potential overvaluation based on its growth narrative [21] - The ongoing "ingredient fraud" controversy poses a risk to Juzhibio's established trust and growth narrative, challenging its high valuation and market position [22]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate regarding "recombinant collagen" has raised significant industry and market attention, with the company emphasizing the need to correct misleading perceptions in the capital market that deviate from scientific and industrial fundamentals [1][2]. Group 1: Company Position on Recombinant Collagen - The company argues that recombinant collagen is a minor branch of collagen research and industrial transformation, with the main advancements in protein research being led by life science institutions and pharmaceutical companies, not cosmetic firms [1][2]. - The company highlights that there is currently no international approval for medical devices based on recombinant collagen, indicating the need for longer observation periods in this field [2]. - The company asserts that the growth of its hyaluronic acid business remains stable, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10%, while the recombinant collagen market lacks a mature international market comparable to hyaluronic acid [3][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Performance - The company clarifies that its performance adjustments are not solely due to the rise of recombinant collagen, as its hyaluronic acid business continues to grow, particularly in the pharmaceutical-grade and overseas export segments, which have seen over 20% growth [3][4]. - The decline in overall performance is attributed to a downturn in consumer goods and one-time asset impairment losses, rather than the emergence of recombinant collagen as a competitive force [4]. - The company emphasizes that the concept of "recombinant collagen" is often misrepresented, as it does not meet the academic standards required for biological functionality [5][6]. Group 3: Industry Ecosystem and Communication - The company stresses the importance of establishing a credible foundation for domestic brands, which should not rely on the misuse of academic terms and concepts that mislead consumers [7]. - The company calls for a collaborative effort among industry participants, regulatory bodies, and media to enhance understanding and improve the overall ecosystem, ensuring that scientific and industrial developments are accurately represented [9]. - The company plans to strengthen professional communication with the capital market, recognizing the need for better understanding of the biological sciences among analysts and investors [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise and subsequent challenges faced by Juzi Biotechnology, highlighting its rapid growth in the beauty industry and the controversies surrounding its flagship product, the collagen stick, amid accusations of ingredient falsification [4][11][12]. Company Overview - Juzi Biotechnology, founded by Yan Jianya and Fan Daidi, has become a significant player in the beauty industry, particularly known for its "recombinant collagen" technology [10][11]. - The company achieved a market value of over 450 billion yuan in May, making its founders the richest in Shaanxi province [4]. - Juzi Biotechnology's net profit increased from 1 billion yuan in 2022 to 2.06 billion yuan in 2024, with a peak gross margin of 82% [11][21]. Recent Controversies - In May, Juzi Biotechnology faced backlash from Huaxi Biotechnology, which accused it of misleading marketing regarding the safety and efficacy of its products [6][19]. - Influencer "Big Mouth Doctor" Hao Yu claimed that the collagen stick contained only 0.0177% of the advertised recombinant collagen, significantly below the stated minimum of 0.1% [13][17]. - Juzi Biotechnology's response included a denial of the allegations and a commitment to legal action against misinformation campaigns [7][15]. Market Impact - Following the allegations, Juzi Biotechnology's stock price dropped over 8%, reducing its market capitalization from 909 billion HKD to 735 billion HKD within ten days [7][11]. - The controversy has affected not only Juzi Biotechnology but also other companies in the recombinant collagen sector, leading to a decline in their stock prices [7][11]. Competitive Landscape - The article highlights the competitive tension between Juzi Biotechnology and Huaxi Biotechnology, with both companies investing heavily in marketing and facing scrutiny over their product claims [21]. - Juzi Biotechnology's marketing expenses exceeded 2 billion yuan in 2024, while Huaxi Biotechnology's marketing costs were reported at 2.464 billion yuan [21].