Core Insights - The article discusses a significant commercial battle in the beauty industry, particularly focusing on the competition between two major players, Huaxi Biological and Juzhi Biological, over the standards of recombinant collagen products [3][4][8] - The conflict highlights deeper issues within the biotechnology sector, such as the lack of research and development (R&D) investment and the prevalence of concept marketing over scientific validation [9][13][20] Group 1: Industry Competition - The battle over recombinant collagen standards has been ongoing for over a month, revealing a struggle for market share and consumer trust in the beauty sector [3][4] - The conflict was ignited by a report from beauty blogger "Big Mouth Doctor" questioning the amino acid content in Juzhi Biological's product, leading to public scrutiny [4][6] - Juzhi Biological's stock price fell by 37.12% from its peak on May 20 to June 23, resulting in a market value loss of 33.2 billion HKD, while Huaxi Biological's stock saw a slight increase of approximately 1.9% during the same period [8] Group 2: Research and Development Shortcomings - Juzhi Biological admitted to the limitations of its current testing methods, indicating a lack of adequate R&D investment, which was only 1.9% of its revenue in 2024, down from 2.1% in 2023 [9][10] - In contrast, Huaxi Biological and Jinbo Biological had R&D expense ratios of 8.68% and 10.89% respectively, showcasing a significant disparity in investment in innovation [9] - The article emphasizes the need for Juzhi Biological to enhance its R&D efforts to avoid future crises and to better respond to market challenges [10][13] Group 3: Industry Standards and Consumer Trust - The absence of national standards for recombinant collagen testing has led to confusion among consumers, as different companies use varying testing methods, resulting in inconsistent product quality [6][15] - The article argues that the reliance on concept marketing rather than scientific validation is unsustainable and can lead to significant reputational damage for companies [16][20] - The ongoing battle serves as a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize scientific rigor and consumer trust over short-term marketing gains [17][21]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing dispute between Juzi Biotech and Huaxi Biotech highlights significant issues within the domestic beauty industry, including unclear standards and a crisis of consumer trust [4][7][26]. Group 1: Company Developments - Juzi Biotech's major shareholder announced plans to increase its stake in the company by at least 200 million HKD, leading to a temporary stock price increase of 4.15% [3][18]. - Despite the initial stock price rise, Juzi Biotech's shares fell again shortly after, indicating a lack of sustained investor confidence [4][5]. - In contrast, Huaxi Biotech reported a significant decline in revenue and profit, with a revenue of 5.317 billion RMB, down 11.61% year-on-year, and a net profit drop of 70.59% to 174 million RMB [22][25]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The competition between Huaxi Biotech and Juzi Biotech has drawn attention to the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid versus the emerging trend of recombinant collagen, with predictions indicating that the collagen market could surpass hyaluronic acid by 2026 [19][25]. - Juzi Biotech's revenue reached 5.539 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 57.17%, while its net profit grew by 42.4% to 2.062 billion RMB [22][25]. Group 3: Industry Issues - The dispute has revealed a lack of rigorous standards and clear definitions in the beauty industry, contributing to consumer skepticism [7][26]. - Industry insiders have pointed out that the marketing strategies often overshadow research and development, with Juzi Biotech's R&D expenditure being significantly lower than that of its competitors [27][29]. - The ongoing debate over ingredient efficacy may serve as a catalyst for improved transparency and standards within the industry, potentially benefiting consumers and companies alike [29][30].

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen products has led to significant scrutiny and volatility for leading companies in the medical beauty biotechnology sector, including Huaxi Biological, Juzhi Biological, and Jinbo Biological [2][11]. Group 1: Controversy and Market Reactions - Huaxi Biological publicly criticized brokerage reports for promoting the "hyaluronic acid is outdated" narrative, suggesting that the recombinant collagen concept is being overly hyped [3][11]. - Juzhi Biological faced public backlash due to a report indicating that its product "Kefumei" contained only 0.0177% recombinant collagen, below the legal threshold of 0.1% [4][11]. - Jinbo Biological's stock price was affected by the overall negative sentiment in the collagen sector, experiencing a significant drop of 17.23% from its peak [5][7]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Huaxi Biological reported its worst performance since going public in 2024, with revenue of 5.371 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 11.61%, and a net profit of 174 million yuan, down 70.59% [9][10]. - Juzhi Biological achieved a revenue of 5.539 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year growth of 57.2%, but its core product's growth rate has been declining for four consecutive years [9][10]. - Jinbo Biological reported a revenue of 1.443 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 84.92%, but its growth rate has also shown signs of slowing down [10]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics - The ongoing "ingredient dispute" highlights the competition between hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen technologies, with Huaxi Biological emphasizing the scientific value of hyaluronic acid [11][13]. - The controversy may intensify competition in technology development, market promotion, and brand building within the medical beauty industry, pushing for more emphasis on product efficacy and scientific validation [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the controversy surrounding Huaxi Biological's rebuttal of the claims made by nine brokerage firms regarding hyaluronic acid being "outdated" and the promotion of recombinant collagen as a superior alternative, highlighting the impact of these claims on the market and the industry [2][4][9]. Group 1: Company Actions - Huaxi Biological publicly refuted the claims about hyaluronic acid and named nine brokerage firms for misleading reports, which has led to some brokerages retracting their reports and issuing apologies [2][8]. - The company received support from two industry associations before making its statement and has reported the matter to the China Securities Regulatory Commission [2][8]. - As of May 23, three of the ten reports mentioned have been removed from public access, while the remaining seven are still available for viewing [8][9]. Group 2: Industry Context - The medical beauty industry is characterized by a high overlap between capital market participants and enterprise users, making capital evaluations significantly impactful on the competitive landscape, which explains Huaxi Biological's strong response [2][4]. - The article emphasizes that the claims made in the brokerage reports lack scientific basis and are driven by speculative capital, which could harm a key industry in China [6][9][24]. Group 3: Scientific Claims - Huaxi Biological argues that the reports promoting recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid are misleading and lack substantial scientific evidence, asserting that both substances have their unique benefits and should not be directly compared [23][24]. - The company highlights that the regulatory approvals for hyaluronic acid products far exceed those for recombinant collagen, indicating a stronger safety profile for hyaluronic acid [25][26]. Group 4: Regulatory Environment - The article notes that the regulatory environment for brokerage reports is tightening, with recent inspections revealing issues in compliance and the need for better management of report quality and information sources [18][20]. - There is a growing concern about the potential for misleading information in brokerage reports, which could lead to regulatory actions against the firms involved if found to be in violation of established guidelines [21][22].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the criticism from Huaxi Biological towards several brokerage firms for their misleading research reports that promote the idea of hyaluronic acid being outdated compared to recombinant collagen protein, which Huaxi believes misleads the market and damages the reputation of the hyaluronic acid industry [1][4][5]. Group 1: Criticism of Brokerage Reports - Huaxi Biological accuses brokerage firms such as Western Securities, Anxin Securities, and Xinda Securities of publishing misleading conclusions that favor recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid [1][4][5]. - Specific examples of misleading statements include claims that recombinant collagen has more biological features and safety advantages compared to hyaluronic acid [4][5]. - Huaxi Biological emphasizes that both hyaluronic acid and collagen are essential components of the extracellular matrix and should not be compared in a misleading manner [5][12]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The article highlights the contrasting performance of Huaxi Biological and Juzhi Biological, with Huaxi experiencing a decline in revenue and market value while Juzhi shows significant growth [10][11]. - Huaxi Biological's revenue and net profit for 2024 are projected to be 5.371 billion and 174 million respectively, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 11.61% and 70.59% [10]. - In contrast, Juzhi Biological is expected to achieve a revenue of 5.539 billion and a net profit of 2.062 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 57.07% and 42.06% [11]. Group 3: Industry Response - Following Huaxi Biological's statements, two industry associations issued a joint initiative advocating for scientific integrity and ethical marketing practices in the beauty and medical aesthetics sectors [8]. - Huaxi Biological claims to have received apologies from some brokerage firms and has reported the misleading content to regulatory authorities [6][12]. - The company asserts that the rise of the "outdated hyaluronic acid" narrative is a result of speculative capital creating a false narrative to shift focus towards new investment themes [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Huaxi Biological criticized ten research reports from nine brokerages, claiming they misled the market by promoting a "hyaluronic acid obsolescence theory" in favor of recombinant collagen products [2][3][5] Group 1: Research Reports Criticism - Huaxi Biological specifically named four reports from brokerages including Huatai Securities and Anxin Securities, which emphasized the advantages of recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid in terms of efficacy and safety [3][5] - The reports in question did not explicitly use the term "obsolete" but suggested that collagen had superior applications in certain scenarios [5] - Huaxi Biological's article indicated that the emergence of the "hyaluronic acid obsolescence" narrative was driven by "restless capital" seeking new investment themes [3][9] Group 2: Timeline and Context - The criticism of the research reports is rooted in a timeline starting from 2022, when the recombinant collagen concept gained traction in the capital market [7][10] - Huaxi Biological itself entered the recombinant collagen market in April 2022 by acquiring a 51% stake in Beijing Yierkang Biological Engineering for 233 million yuan [9] - The reports were published between 2022 and 2024, with the earliest being from August 2022 and the latest from February 2024 [8] Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance Issues - The article raised questions about the compliance and independence of the research reports, referencing the "Interim Regulations on the Release of Securities Research Reports" which mandates objectivity and fairness [10][11] - There were indications that some brokerages had deleted the criticized reports from the WIND platform, although they remained accessible on other platforms like Choice [5][11] - The production process of research reports involves ensuring data legality and undergoing compliance checks before publication, highlighting the importance of rigorous standards in the industry [11]

Core Viewpoint - Huaxi Biological (688363.SZ) criticizes certain brokerage reports for misleading the market regarding the hyaluronic acid (HA) industry, claiming that these reports promote the idea that HA is outdated and misrepresent its value compared to recombinant collagen [1][2][5] Group 1: Criticism of Brokerage Reports - Huaxi Biological specifically names brokerages such as Western Securities, Anxin Securities, and Xinda Securities, accusing them of publishing misleading conclusions that favor recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid [1][2][4] - The company argues that these reports distort scientific facts and mislead consumers, damaging the trust in the Chinese biotechnology and medical aesthetics industry [1][6] - Huaxi Biological emphasizes the importance of maintaining a fair competitive environment and the integrity of scientific information in the industry [1][6] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Competition - The criticism from Huaxi Biological is seen as a response to the rising competition from Juzhi Biological (02367.HK), which focuses on recombinant collagen and has been gaining market traction [1][8][12] - Huaxi Biological's performance has been declining, with projected revenues and net profits for 2024 showing significant decreases compared to previous years, while Juzhi Biological has experienced substantial growth [10][12] - The company highlights that the narrative of HA being outdated is a construct of "restless capital" aiming to shift focus to new market trends, which undermines the established value of HA [13][14] Group 3: Industry Support and Response - Following Huaxi Biological's statements, two industry associations, the China Fragrance and Cosmetic Industry Association and the China Aesthetic Medicine Association, issued a joint initiative advocating for scientific integrity and ethical marketing practices [7] - Huaxi Biological reports that many institutions have retracted erroneous reports and some have issued apologies, indicating a recognition of the misleading nature of the previous analyses [6][12] - The company maintains ongoing communication with brokerage firms regarding the accuracy of research reports and their implications for the industry [6][12]

Core Viewpoint - Huaxi Biological has publicly criticized several securities firms for promoting collagen products and suggesting that hyaluronic acid is "outdated," indicating a defensive stance amid declining performance and market competition [1][2][3] Company Performance - Huaxi Biological started with hyaluronic acid and holds nearly 50% of the global market share, expanding into medical products, skincare, and functional foods [5][6] - Despite maintaining positive growth during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the company's revenue and profit have declined since 2021, with net profits projected to drop from 9.71 billion yuan in 2022 to 1.74 billion yuan in 2024 [10] - The company's market capitalization has plummeted from over 140 billion yuan in 2021 to 25.3 billion yuan as of May 21, 2025 [10] Market Comparison - In contrast, competitors like Juzhi Biological and Jinbo Biological have seen significant growth, with Juzhi's net profits increasing from 1 billion yuan in 2022 to 20.62 billion yuan in 2024, and Jinbo's from 1.09 billion yuan to 7.31 billion yuan in the same period [14] - Both companies have also achieved substantial stock price increases, with market capitalizations of 87.5 billion HKD and 51.1 billion yuan, respectively [14] Industry Dynamics - The rise of collagen products has created a competitive threat to hyaluronic acid, with market trends favoring new ingredients [15][18] - The demand for collagen is expected to exceed supply, with projections indicating a production of 200,000 tons against a demand of over 220,000 tons by 2025 [19] Challenges Ahead - Despite Huaxi's efforts to defend hyaluronic acid, the company faces challenges due to internal management issues and a tarnished brand image, which may hinder future sales growth [20][21] - The company's recent foray into collagen products has not yet shown significant revenue impact, suggesting ongoing struggles in adapting to market changes [21]

Core Viewpoint - Huaxi Biological, once a giant in the hyaluronic acid market, is facing significant challenges as its stock price has plummeted over 80% since 2021, leading to a market capitalization drop from over 140 billion to around 20 billion [3][15]. Group 1: Company Performance - Huaxi Biological's revenue for 2024 is projected at 5.371 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 11.6%, with a net profit of 164 million, down 72.27% [15]. - The decline in performance is primarily attributed to the rapid downturn in its functional skincare segment, which generated 2.569 billion, accounting for 47.92% of total revenue [17]. - This segment has seen consecutive declines, with an 18.45% drop in 2023 and a further 31.62% decrease in 2024 [18]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The hyaluronic acid industry is experiencing overall growth pressure, with a general decline in the consumption medical sector, affecting major players like Haohai Biological [28][29]. - The market is characterized by intense price competition, with over 77 brands in the domestic hyaluronic acid market, leading to a lack of differentiation and pricing power [32][30]. - Despite the challenges, both Huaxi Biological and Haohai Biological maintain a gross margin above 70%, indicating that hyaluronic acid remains a profitable business [35]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The rise of recombinant collagen as a competing product has gained traction, with a projected market share surpassing hyaluronic acid by 2026, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 52.6% [39]. - The competition in the collagen sector is intensifying, with many companies entering the market, which may lead to a similar competitive environment as seen in the hyaluronic acid market [41][43]. - Huaxi Biological's struggles highlight the need for companies to innovate and establish strong brand identities to avoid falling into price wars and market saturation [48].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the conflict between Huaxi Biological and several brokerage firms that support Juzi Biological, criticizing the notion that sodium hyaluronate is outdated and emphasizing the ongoing relevance of hyaluronic acid in the beauty and medical aesthetics industry [1][3]. Company Performance - Huaxi Biological's market capitalization has significantly decreased from over 140 billion yuan in 2021 to approximately 25 billion yuan currently, while Juzi Biological's stock has surged nearly 70% in 2024, elevating its founders to the status of the richest individuals in Shaanxi [2]. - In 2024, Huaxi Biological reported its worst performance since going public, with annual revenue of 5.371 billion yuan, a decline of 11.6% year-on-year, and a net profit of 164 million yuan, down 72.27% [2]. - Juzi Biological, in contrast, has shown robust growth since 2019, with 2024 revenue reaching 5.539 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 57.17%, and a net profit of 2.062 billion yuan, up 42.06% [2]. Market Trends - The market is increasingly favoring the field of recombinant collagen due to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, with projections indicating that the collagen-based skincare market may surpass that of hyaluronic acid by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 52.6% [3]. - Despite the rise of recombinant collagen, hyaluronic acid remains irreplaceable in the medical aesthetics sector, particularly in filling procedures, and Huaxi Biological continues to hold a competitive edge in this area [3]. Industry Dynamics - Several brokerage firms, including Huafu Securities and Debon Securities, have retracted their reports that were criticized by Huaxi Biological, indicating the contentious nature of the market's perception of recombinant collagen [4]. - The development of recombinant collagen is still in its early stages, with high raw material costs and insufficient research on its applications, suggesting that both hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen may coexist in the market to meet diverse consumer needs [4].