Core Insights - The emergence of "plant callus" as a key term in the cosmetics industry is highlighted, with multiple extracts from rare plants like snow lotus and peony being registered with the National Medical Products Administration [1][2] - The technology of plant callus cultivation allows for controlled, soil-free production of active plant ingredients, addressing issues of supply stability and sustainability [1][9] - The trend indicates a shift towards "green manufacturing," positioning callus technology as a new productive force in China's beauty industry [1][8] Industry Developments - Since 2025, plant callus has rapidly gained attention in the cosmetics sector, with six related ingredients registered, five of which were completed in 2025 [2][3] - Notable companies involved in this trend include Water Sheep Co., Huaxi Kou, and innovative upstream firms like Weiming Shiguang and Baiyue Te [1][4][6] - The registration of snow lotus callus powder by Gu Yu brand marks a significant milestone in utilizing rare plants through cell culture technology [4][6] Technological Advancements - Plant callus technology is based on the plant's self-repair mechanism, producing undifferentiated cells that secrete beneficial compounds for skincare [12][13] - The cultivation methods include solid and liquid culture techniques, with liquid culture allowing for industrial-scale production [14][16] - The ability to control environmental factors in callus cultivation enables customized production of active ingredients, enhancing research efficiency and production stability [17][21] Market Implications - The technology addresses the instability of traditional plant supply chains, providing a consistent and high-quality source of active ingredients [9][20] - Companies like Water Sheep emphasize the importance of technological solutions to overcome raw material shortages and promote high-quality standards in the cosmetics industry [9][18] - The shift towards plant callus technology represents a sustainable and scalable production model, aligning with consumer expectations for environmentally friendly products [28][29] Future Directions - The industry is exploring three main pathways: upgrading existing raw materials, providing sustainable alternatives for endangered plants, and integrating technology with AI and synthetic biology [25][27][28] - The ongoing development of plant callus technology signifies a broader transition in the beauty industry towards resource-efficient and environmentally friendly practices [29]

Core Insights - "Weiming Shiguang" recently secured several tens of millions of RMB in B+ round financing, led by Huatai Jinse and Haibang Investment, aimed at enhancing AI technology platform development, expanding diverse applications of biomaterials, and accelerating global business layout [1] - The company has developed a closed-loop synthetic biology technology platform focusing on innovative biomaterials, utilizing AI to empower the platform comprehensively [1][3] - The company has established a business model that meets the needs of the beauty, medical device, and food industries, combining self-developed innovative raw material pipelines with a CRDMO model to collaborate with downstream brand manufacturers [1][6] Investment and Financing - The recent financing follows nearly 100 million RMB investment from L'Oréal and Nai's Group in May, indicating strong investor confidence and interest in the company's growth potential [1] - The funds will primarily be used for AI technology platform enhancement and global business expansion [1] Technology and Innovation - The company has established two types of cell factories—microbial and plant-based—to produce peptides and proteins, including collagen and fibronectin [2] - Utilizing plant callus technology, the company has induced callus from over 80 plant species, with three extracts approved as new cosmetic raw materials, representing 75% of the total approved by the regulatory authority [2] - AI has significantly improved research and development efficiency, reportedly increasing it by at least five times, with plans to allocate 50% of R&D spending towards AI development [4] Product Development and Market Strategy - The company employs a "reverse development" approach, focusing on the needs of downstream brand clients to provide raw material development services [6] - The emphasis is on developing differentiated "high-end" raw materials, particularly rare plant extracts that offer unique market value [6] - The company aims to expand its active ingredient business from beauty products to food and daily chemicals, with plans for international expansion [8] Collaboration and Client Network - The company has established a wide market channel and client network, collaborating with major brands like L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, and Shanghai Jahwa for joint development [7] - The introduction of a novel "in vivo transdermal absorption Raman spectroscopy detection" technology has attracted numerous beauty and personal care brands, enhancing client relationships and laying the groundwork for CRDMO services [7]

Core Viewpoint - The company "未名拾光" has recently secured a B+ round financing of several tens of millions of RMB, following a previous investment of nearly 100 million RMB from L'Oréal and Naive Group, aimed at enhancing its AI technology platform and expanding its global business footprint [3][4]. Group 1: Financing and Investment - "未名拾光" has received significant investments from both L'Oréal and Naive Group, totaling nearly 100 million RMB earlier this year, and has now attracted additional funding from industrial funds [4]. - The latest financing round will primarily focus on deepening AI technology platform development and expanding the application scenarios of biological materials [3]. Group 2: Technology and Product Development - The company has established a closed-loop system for the innovation of biological materials, integrating design, screening, efficacy evaluation, and large-scale production, empowered by AI [4]. - "未名拾光" is developing two main categories of biological raw materials: plant callus tissues and bioactive proteins, including recombinant collagen and peptides [4]. - The company has created a dual-cell factory system utilizing both microbial and plant cell factories to produce various products, including rare plant active molecules [6]. Group 3: AI Integration - The team recognized the value of AI early in the development of their synthetic biology technology platform, utilizing tools like AlphaFold and RFDiffusion to enhance research efficiency [7]. - AI has significantly improved research efficiency, reportedly increasing it by at least five times, with plans to allocate 50% of R&D spending towards AI development [8]. Group 4: Business Model and Market Strategy - "未名拾光" employs a CRDMO model (CRO + CDMO) to collaborate with downstream brand partners for the development of new biological raw materials and provide contract manufacturing services [4][10]. - The company has successfully validated its model in the plant metabolite category, expanding its client base to include numerous well-known domestic and international brands [11]. Group 5: Future Directions - The company plans to expand its business in bioactive raw materials from the beauty sector to food and daily chemical applications, while also seeking international market opportunities [13].

Core Insights - Unnamed Company has completed a strategic financing round of nearly 100 million RMB, with investments from L'Oréal Group and Naies Group, further solidifying its leading position in the field of bioactive materials innovation [1][12] - The company has established a strategic partnership with L'Oréal to co-develop innovative bioactive ingredients and promote their large-scale production using low-carbon biomanufacturing technologies [1][12] R&D and Technology - Efficiency is a core barrier in raw material research and development, with Unnamed Company establishing the world's largest bioactive substance database, covering over 30 billion molecular data from plant, microbial, and animal sources [2] - The company has developed two raw material evaluation platforms, including a non-invasive transdermal testing platform based on human Raman spectroscopy, significantly reducing animal testing [4] - An innovative AI efficacy evaluation system has been created, achieving a breakthrough in technology by replacing traditional experiments with AI algorithms, allowing for the screening of millions of raw materials in a single day, enhancing efficiency by a factor of 1,000 [6] Production Capabilities - Unnamed Company has built a multi-dimensional biosynthesis platform that includes microbial cells, plant callus tissue, animal cells, and cell-free synthesis technologies, with a focus on high-efficiency production of plant components [8] - The company has established Asia's largest callus tissue resource library and completed the first domestic registration of a new raw material based on this technology, providing innovative solutions for green biomanufacturing [8] Market Position and Strategy - The company has received 158 certifications from the National Medical Products Administration, successfully bridging the gap from laboratory research to industrial production, serving major domestic brands [9] - Unnamed Company is pursuing a "three-step" strategy in the consumer healthcare sector, starting with skincare ingredients, moving into high-barrier medical aesthetics, and eventually expanding into functional food ingredients [10] - The company is accelerating its global layout through cross-border collaborative innovation, providing core bioactive raw material technologies for international beauty brands, including L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever [12] Investment and Recognition - The recent strategic financing round has been recognized as a significant endorsement of the company's technological capabilities by global industry capital, with investments from leading institutions [12][13] - L'Oréal's global R&D executive expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the integration of Unnamed Company's AI design platform with L'Oréal's expertise in skin and hair biology [13]