Core Viewpoint - The upstream brand manufacturers capture most of the industry's profits but fail to assume the "chain master" responsibility, leading to safety risks that ultimately burden consumers [1][39]. Group 1: Industry Issues - The medical beauty industry is facing severe issues, with the police announcing strong measures to combat serious crimes in the sector [4]. - Recent investigations have exposed the chaotic practices behind "medical beauty crash courses," raising widespread concern [5]. - "Black medical beauty" institutions are rapidly training unqualified individuals as "professional beauty practitioners" and providing illegal channels for purchasing medical beauty products [6][7]. Group 2: Profit Distribution and Pricing Power - The industry is characterized by "excessive profits," primarily captured by upstream brand manufacturers [8]. - A public dispute between SoYoung (NASDAQ: SY) and Saint Bo Ma highlights the pricing power dynamics in the medical beauty industry [10]. - SoYoung's pricing for a product was significantly lower than the official price set by Saint Bo Ma, leading to accusations of product legitimacy and safety concerns [12][14]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Dynamics - SoYoung's revenue is projected to decline from 1.151 billion yuan in 2023 to 929 million yuan in 2024, with a net loss of nearly 590 million yuan [31]. - The average customer acquisition cost for medical beauty institutions has risen significantly, with some reporting costs as high as 3,000 to 5,000 yuan per person [33]. - The profit distribution in the medical beauty industry resembles a "reverse pyramid," with upstream manufacturers holding most of the profits while downstream institutions struggle [35]. Group 4: Regulatory and Ethical Concerns - Upstream manufacturers have neglected their supervisory responsibilities, leading to industry chaos and unsustainable development [40]. - Many manufacturers only provide basic operational training without ensuring compliance and safety standards, contributing to a lack of oversight [41]. - The prevalence of "off-label use" in medical beauty procedures raises ethical concerns, with a significant portion of disputes arising from such practices [53][56]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The recent release of guidelines by the Medical Insurance Bureau aims to improve the pricing structure in the medical beauty sector, promoting transparency and clarity [60][61]. - The industry is expected to shift towards a model that emphasizes technology at the upstream level and service quality at the downstream level [62].

Industry Overview - The medical beauty injection products mainly include hyaluronic acid, collagen, regenerative materials, and botulinum toxin, with hyaluronic acid and collagen being classified as medical devices, while botulinum toxin is categorized as a toxic medical drug [1][2][5] Industry Chain Analysis - The upstream of the medical beauty injection materials includes raw materials and equipment manufacturing, while the midstream focuses on product research and manufacturing, and the downstream consists of sales channels such as public hospitals and private chains [2][5] Industry Development History - The Chinese medical beauty injection materials market has evolved from reliance on imports to self-innovation, with significant milestones including the approval of the first domestic hyaluronic acid filler in 2009 and the emergence of domestic leaders like Huaxi Biological, Aimeike, and Haohai Biological by 2015 [6][8] Industry Policy Background - Regulatory measures have been strengthened since 2019, with guidelines issued for the clinical trial of hyaluronic acid products and stricter management of medical beauty injection materials to enhance product quality and safety [9][11][12] Current Industry Status - The market size of China's medical beauty injection materials is projected to reach approximately 34.6 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 28.6% and a CAGR of 31.3% from 2021 to 2024 [14][16] Market Structure - Hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin dominate the market, with hyaluronic acid accounting for about 36% and botulinum toxin for about 29% of the total market share [17][19] Competitive Landscape - Major competitors in the hyaluronic acid market include Huaxi Biological, Aimeike, and Haohai Biological, while the botulinum toxin market is primarily represented by Lanzhou Biological, which is currently the only domestic company with approved products [23][25] Future Industry Outlook - The medical beauty injection materials market is expected to reach 93.7 billion yuan by 2030, driven by technological advancements, compliance, and the rise of male consumers [28][30] Industry Development Trends - Key trends include the long-lasting and precise application of materials, the rise of intelligent and customized solutions, and increased regulatory scrutiny leading to higher approval thresholds for injection materials [32]

Core Insights - Zhao Yan, known as the "Hyaluronic Acid Queen," has built a significant business empire and holds a crucial position in the capital market and industry [2] - The journey of Zhao Yan from a university assistant to a successful entrepreneur is marked by challenges and strategic decisions that led to her current success [2][3] Early Career and Initial Ventures - Zhao Yan was born in 1966 in Kunming, Yunnan, and showed exceptional academic talent, leading her to East China Normal University [2] - After graduating in 1986, she worked as a teaching assistant with a modest salary of less than 100 yuan per month [2] - In 1988, she left her stable job to pursue opportunities in Hainan, pooling 5,000 yuan with three other teachers to start a business [2][3] First Major Success - Zhao Yan discovered an opportunity with a joint venture factory in Hainan that had unsold refrigerators, which she and her partners repaired and sold, earning a profit of 800,000 yuan [3] - This initial success allowed them to invest in a clothing factory, which generated annual revenue of 1 million yuan [5] Real Estate Investments - Recognizing the potential in Hainan's real estate market, Zhao Yan used profits from the clothing business to acquire properties, leading to a wealth increase from 800,000 yuan to 2 million yuan [5] - She eventually sold her real estate holdings at the peak of the market, successfully avoiding the subsequent market crash [8] Expansion to Beijing and Real Estate Development - After relocating to Beijing, Zhao Yan founded Huaxi Group and developed significant projects, including Huaxia Bank Tower and Wukesong Sports Center, contributing to the company's total assets exceeding 80 billion yuan [9] Entry into Biopharmaceuticals - In the early 2000s, Zhao Yan invested in Shandong Furuida Biological Chemical Co., becoming the largest shareholder and later rebranding it as Huaxi Biological [11] - Under her leadership, the company became the world's largest producer of hyaluronic acid by 2007, expanding into medical aesthetics and functional skincare products [12] Product Diversification and Market Expansion - Huaxi Biological launched various medical aesthetic products, including hyaluronic acid fillers and functional skincare lines, achieving high market share and positive consumer reception [12][13] - In 2021, the company introduced functional foods like hyaluronic acid drinking water, capitalizing on the growing health-conscious consumer trend [15] Cultural and Social Contributions - Zhao Yan's leadership extended to cultural projects, such as the development of Wukesong Sports Center, which hosted major events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics [15] - The establishment of Huaxi International Era Art Museum has contributed significantly to the promotion of Chinese cultural and artistic endeavors [16] Future Outlook - Huaxi Biological stands at a new crossroads with a leading position in hyaluronic acid production, a growing skincare brand portfolio, and ambitious plans in synthetic biology [18] - Zhao Yan faces ongoing challenges in balancing marketing, technology, and corporate responsibilities as the leader of a public company [18]