Core Viewpoint - The research team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has discovered an efficient biosynthetic pathway for progesterone in plants, marking a significant advancement in the synthesis technology of third-generation steroid hormones in China [1][2]. Group 1: Research Breakthrough - The team successfully constructed artificial herbal cells capable of producing steroid hormones, utilizing a more efficient "plant route" compared to the traditional "animal route" [1]. - The new method allows for the direct synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol-like substances in the endoplasmic reticulum, bypassing the complex mitochondrial transport steps required in the "animal route" [1]. Group 2: Economic Impact - Steroid hormones such as progesterone and hydrocortisone represent the second largest category of chemical drugs after antibiotics, with global annual sales exceeding $100 billion [1]. - The production yield of steroid hormones using the new method exceeds gram-level per liter, achieving over a tenfold increase compared to the "animal route" [1]. Group 3: Environmental Considerations - Traditional production methods rely on plant resources and can lead to environmental pollution, while the new approach offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for producing steroid hormone drugs [1][2]. Group 4: Broader Implications - This breakthrough provides new insights into the exploration of life's evolution and lays an important foundation for the efficient and environmentally friendly production of steroid hormone drugs based on heterologous biomimetic synthesis technology [2].

Core Viewpoint - Tianyao Pharmaceutical (600488) reported a significant decline in revenue for 2024, with total revenue of 3.215 billion yuan, a decrease of 15% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 14.01% to 133 million yuan due to a substantial reduction in sales expenses [1][2] Financial Performance - The company's sales expenses dropped from 1.051 billion yuan in 2023 to 570 million yuan in 2024, nearly halving, attributed to optimized sales models and improved efficiency in expense usage [1] - The gross profit margin was 45.45%, a decrease of 2.11% year-on-year, and operating cash flow decreased by 214 million yuan to 569 million yuan [2] - The weighted return on equity increased by 0.5 percentage points to 4.45% [2] Business Segment Performance - Revenue from core business segments declined, with steroid hormones generating 1.732 billion yuan (down 16.89%), amino acids at 296 million yuan (down 19.32%), and other formulations at 1.161 billion yuan (down 10.67%) [2] Executive Compensation - Despite the revenue decline, executive compensation increased significantly, with two executives earning over 1 million yuan; the vice president's salary rose to 1.976 million yuan, an increase of 1.638 million yuan, and the CEO's salary increased to 1.4346 million yuan, up by 1.284 million yuan [2] Shareholder Activity - In the fourth quarter of 2024, northbound funds significantly reduced their holdings in Tianyao Pharmaceutical, with a total of 15.6944 million shares, a decrease of 2.1127 million shares, representing an 11.86% decline [3]