Core Viewpoint - Aimeike (300896.SZ), one of the "three swordsmen" in the medical beauty industry, is facing its most severe performance downturn since its listing, with a significant decline in revenue and net profit in the first half of 2025 [4][5]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Aimeike reported revenue of 1.299 billion CNY, a year-on-year decrease of 21.59%, and a net profit of 789 million CNY, down 29.57% year-on-year, marking the first negative growth since its A-share debut in September 2020 [4][5]. - The company's revenue growth has slowed significantly, with growth rates dropping from over 100% in previous years to single digits in 2024, and further declines in 2025 [8]. Product Performance - Aimeike's two main product lines experienced substantial declines in revenue in the first half of 2025: the solution injection products generated 744 million CNY, down 23.79%, while gel injection products brought in 493 million CNY, down 23.99% [8][9]. - The competitive landscape has intensified, particularly for the "Haitai" and "Ruhua Tianzi" products, as new entrants have disrupted previously profitable markets [10]. Market Dynamics - The medical beauty industry is undergoing a transformation, shifting from rapid expansion to a focus on quality and effectiveness, with increased competition and a slowdown in overall market growth [4][12]. - The market size of China's medical beauty industry grew from 993 billion CNY in 2017 to 1.892 trillion CNY in 2021, but the high-growth phase is fading as the market matures [13]. Strategic Moves - Aimeike has made a strategic acquisition of REGEN Biotech to enhance its portfolio in regenerative injection products, but is currently embroiled in a dispute over distribution rights for key products [5][11]. - The company is also expanding into new product areas, including botulinum toxin and weight management injections, to adapt to changing market demands [14][15].

Core Viewpoint - Huaxi Biological has reported a seemingly contradictory financial performance for 2024, with total revenue of 5.371 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 11.61%, and a net profit of 174 million yuan, down 70.59%. However, the company increased its R&D investment by 4.46% to a record high of 466 million yuan, representing 8.68% of its revenue, positioning it among the leaders in A-shares [2][10]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for Huaxi Biological in 2024 was 5.371 billion yuan, a decrease of 11.61% year-on-year [2]. - Net profit fell to 174 million yuan, a significant drop of 70.59% [2]. - R&D investment reached 466 million yuan, marking a 4.46% increase and a historical high [2]. - The R&D expense ratio was 8.68%, placing the company at the forefront of the A-share market [2][10]. Business Strategy - The company aims to return to an entrepreneurial organization to awaken its innovative capabilities, as stated by Chairman Zhao Yan [2]. - Huaxi Biological's international revenue from raw materials reached 608 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.65%, supported by FDA certification [5]. - The medical terminal business generated 1.44 billion yuan, a remarkable increase of 32.03%, becoming the largest revenue contributor [6]. - The functional skincare segment saw revenue decline by 31.62% to 2.569 billion yuan due to intensified market competition and channel adjustments [6]. R&D and Innovation - Huaxi Biological has established eight R&D platforms and holds 580 valid patents, with 392 applicable to its main business [7]. - The company is transitioning from a focus on hyaluronic acid to two foundational sciences: glycoscience and cell biology [9]. - The R&D team consists of 920 members, reflecting the company's commitment to long-term investment in innovation [10]. Market Position and Future Outlook - The FDA certification is expected to facilitate Huaxi Biological's expansion into high-end markets in Europe and the United States [4]. - The company is diversifying its business across four major fields: raw materials, medical devices, functional foods, and tissue engineering, creating a "cell-level anti-aging" ecosystem [9]. - Despite short-term profit pressures, Huaxi Biological announced a cash dividend of 52.62 million yuan, accounting for 30.19% of its net profit [9].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate between hyaluronic acid and recombinant collagen in the capital market highlights the challenges faced by companies like Huaxi Biological, which is experiencing a decline in revenue and net profit after reaching a peak in 2022 [2][6]. Group 1: Company Response and Market Dynamics - Huaxi Biological criticized the recent reports from several securities firms that favor recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid, claiming these reports misrepresent the safety and efficacy of hyaluronic acid [3][4]. - The company emphasized the importance of a healthy industry ecosystem, stating that without it, no company can achieve long-term success or maintain competitive advantages [5][6]. - Huaxi Biological is undergoing a comprehensive management transformation in 2024, including business process restructuring and digitalization, to address the challenges in the current operating environment [2][6]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, Huaxi Biological reported a 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% [6]. - The skin science innovation business, which accounts for nearly half of the company's revenue, saw a significant decline of 31.62% in revenue, totaling 2.569 billion yuan [6]. - In contrast, the medical terminal business achieved a revenue of 1.44 billion yuan in 2024, marking a growth of 32.03% [7]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Competition - The medical aesthetics industry is witnessing a shift from hyaluronic acid to recombinant collagen and other regenerative products, driven by evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements [5][9]. - The market for recombinant collagen is growing rapidly, with companies like Jinbo Biological and Giant Bio achieving substantial revenue increases in 2024, indicating a competitive landscape with low market concentration [8][9]. - Huaxi Biological is also investing in recombinant collagen research and development, aiming to leverage synthetic biology for technological upgrades and high-quality applications [7][8].

Core Viewpoint - The domestic market competition for hyaluronic acid injection products is intensifying, with Huaxi Biological's new product "Bobo" being the first hyaluronic acid injection containing lidocaine approved for sale in China, aimed at improving user experience by reducing pain during injection [1][2]. Group 1: Product Launch and Market Position - Huaxi Biological's "Bobo" is composed of 15mg/ml hyaluronic acid and 3mg/ml lidocaine, designed to enhance treatment experience by minimizing pain [1]. - The product's pricing is yet to be determined, and its market performance remains uncertain due to the presence of numerous existing competitors in the market [3]. - "Bobo" is the 10th medical beauty injection product from Huaxi Biological, following several successful launches in the hyaluronic acid category [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Future Outlook - In 2024, Huaxi Biological's skincare business is expected to face challenges, but the medical beauty segment is showing steady growth, with projected revenue of 1.44 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 32.03% [5]. - The revenue from the micro-crosslinked "Renzhi® Doll Needle" has more than doubled year-on-year, while the newly launched "Renzhi·Gege" has surpassed 10 million yuan in revenue within just three months [5]. - The ability of Huaxi Biological to return to a growth trajectory in 2025 through its medical beauty business is under scrutiny [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the internal turmoil and strategic challenges faced by Huaxi Biological, particularly in light of its declining performance and the need for significant internal reforms to address corruption and strategic misalignment [3][4][5]. Group 1: Internal Challenges and Strategic Issues - Huaxi Biological's CEO Zhao Yan issued an ultimatum for employees involved in corruption to resign by March 31, indicating a critical need for internal restructuring [3]. - The company is experiencing a significant decline in revenue and profits, with a reported drop of over 70% in profits for 2024, highlighting the urgency of the situation [3][4]. - The internal issues are compounded by strategic missteps, particularly the failure to adapt to market changes and the overproduction of hyaluronic acid, leading to an oversupply situation [9][15]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape - The hyaluronic acid market has shifted from a scarcity to an oversupply, with average prices dropping from 210 RMB per gram in 2017 to 124 RMB in 2021, a decline of 41% [9]. - New competitors in the collagen market have emerged, capturing consumer interest and market share, which has further pressured Huaxi Biological's traditional hyaluronic acid business [11][12]. - The company has been slow to diversify into collagen products, missing out on a significant market opportunity that could have alleviated current pressures [12][15]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Cost Management - Huaxi Biological's sales and management expenses have surged from 38.23% in 2018 to 61.72% in 2023, with sales expenses alone increasing from 284 million RMB to 2.842 billion RMB during the same period [27]. - Despite maintaining a high gross margin of around 73%, the net profit margin has plummeted from 33.56% in 2018 to approximately 9.27% in 2024, indicating severe profitability issues [27][28]. - The company's strategy to cut costs and improve profitability through internal reforms may provide short-term relief, but long-term success will depend on genuine operational improvements [29][30].