Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The discussion revolves around the cosmetics industry, specifically focusing on the trend and competitive landscape of collagen protein in cosmetics [1][7][8]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Sales Performance During 618 Promotion** - The 618 promotion started earlier this year on May 13, compared to May 24 last year, leading to a need for year-over-year comparisons [1]. - Sales data from the first phase of the promotion (up to May 25) indicates a significant impact on brand performance [1]. 2. **Impact of Public Relations Incident on Kofumei** - Kofumei, a leading brand in the fat-free protein segment, experienced a 50% drop in sales on the Sunday following a public relations incident, despite a quick denial from the company [2]. - The initial sales growth target for Kofumei during 618 was 60-80%, but it is now estimated to be only 30% due to this incident [2]. 3. **Marketing and Sales Strategy** - Kofumei's marketing strategy involved leveraging major influencers, with one influencer accounting for 70% of pre-sale sales [3]. - The brand's advertising budget increased by 30% compared to last year, aiming for a top 3 ranking in sales [3]. 4. **Conversion Rate Decline** - Kofumei's conversion rate has dropped below 3, with some estimates as low as 2.5, affecting the effectiveness of their advertising spend [4]. - Negative reviews from influencers are impacting consumer perception and sales [4]. 5. **Overall Market Impact** - The overall sales contribution from the 618 promotion is expected to be around 15-20% of annual sales, indicating that while the short-term impact is significant, the long-term effects may be minimal [5]. 6. **Performance of Other Brands** - Other brands like Keli Jin and Perfect are experiencing strong growth, with Keli Jin expected to achieve over 100% growth and Perfect targeting over 80% growth [6][7]. - Perfect's small gold needle product is also performing well, with a growth rate of 50-60% [6]. 7. **Trends in Collagen Protein Segment** - There is a growing interest among brands to enter the collagen protein market, driven by perceived growth potential [7][8]. - The competitive landscape includes brands like Kofumei, Keli Jin, and Perfect, all of which are focusing on collagen products [8]. 8. **Challenges for New Brands** - New brands may find it difficult to enter the collagen protein market due to high technical barriers and established competitors like Kofumei [9][10]. 9. **Market Growth Projections** - The overall market for collagen products is expected to grow at a rate of over 50%, with increasing participation from major cosmetic brands [10][12]. 10. **E-commerce Strategy Changes** - The strategy for e-commerce platforms like Douyin has shifted, focusing less on low-price strategies and more on brand exposure during the promotion [13][14]. - Sales growth across platforms during the 618 promotion is optimistic, with Douyin reporting a 40-50% increase [15]. Additional Important Insights - The discussion highlights the importance of brand reputation and consumer perception in the cosmetics industry, particularly in the context of social media and influencer marketing [4][10]. - The potential for regulatory changes in response to the recent public relations incident may shape future industry standards [10].

Core Viewpoint - The dispute over the ingredients in medical beauty products is escalating, particularly between Huaxi Biological and Juzhi Biological, with accusations of misleading information and legal threats being exchanged [1][5][6]. Group 1: Company Statements - Huaxi Biological issued a statement supporting Dr. Hao Yu, indicating that they had confirmed the authenticity of the testing reports and would cooperate with regulatory bodies if needed [2][3]. - Huaxi Biological accused Juzhi Biological of using online marketing tactics to undermine competition and suggested that they are prepared for a "real business war" [1][4]. - Juzhi Biological responded by stating that they would pursue legal action against those spreading false information and emphasized their commitment to consumer interests [1][5]. Group 2: Product Controversy - Dr. Hao Yu claimed that the product "Kefumei" from Juzhi Biological contained only 0.0177% of recombinant collagen, which does not meet regulatory standards for labeling as a non-trace component [3]. - Huaxi Biological highlighted that their products have the highest number of medical device certifications in the industry, asserting that there is no evidence to support the safety of recombinant collagen over hyaluronic acid [4]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Juzhi Biological reported significant revenue growth from 2022 to 2024, with revenues of 2.364 billion, 3.524 billion, and 5.539 billion yuan, and net profits of 1.002 billion, 1.452 billion, and 2.062 billion yuan respectively [6]. - In contrast, Huaxi Biological experienced a decline in both revenue and net profit for 2024, with revenues of approximately 5.371 billion yuan (down 11.61%) and net profits of about 174 million yuan (down 70.59%), marking their worst performance since going public [7]. Group 4: Market Reaction - Following the controversy, Juzhi Biological's stock price fell by 18.07% from its peak on May 20, closing at 68.25 HKD per share on June 2, reflecting market concerns over the ongoing disputes [6].

Core Viewpoint - The public dispute regarding the content of recombinant collagen in the product "Collagen Stick" from the brand Kefu Mei, owned by Giant Biological (02367.HK), has intensified, with accusations of misleading information about the actual collagen content [1][3]. Group 1: Company Response and Actions - Giant Biological received an apology from the testing agency used by the beauty blogger "Big Mouth Doctor" (Hao Yu) on May 30, and the company has sent products to multiple testing institutions for compliance checks [2][4]. - The company claims that multiple tests have shown collagen content greater than 0.1%, adhering to the standards set by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia [4]. - Giant Biological clarified that the rumors about the product "Collagen Stick 1.0" being taken off the shelves are false, stating it was a normal product iteration that began in April [6]. Group 2: Industry Context and Competitor Involvement - The controversy has drawn attention from competitors, notably Huaxi Biological, which publicly supported the claims made by "Big Mouth Doctor" and offered to assist in testing and regulatory communication [10]. - Huaxi Biological has criticized the overhyped claims surrounding recombinant collagen, suggesting that the industry is experiencing inflated expectations without sufficient scientific backing [13]. - The financial performance of Huaxi Biological has been declining, with a reported revenue of 5.371 billion in 2024, down 11.61% year-on-year, and a significant drop in net profit [13]. Group 3: Financial Performance of Giant Biological - Giant Biological has shown steady revenue growth from 1.19 billion in 2020 to 5.539 billion in 2024, with net profit increasing from 826 million to 2.062 billion during the same period [7]. - The Kefu Mei brand is a significant contributor to Giant Biological's revenue, accounting for 82% of total income in 2024, with a reported revenue of 4.542 billion [7]. - Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the ongoing controversy on the company's performance during the critical 618 e-commerce promotion period [7].

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding the skincare brand Kefu Mei, owned by Juzhi Biotechnology, has raised significant concerns about the authenticity of its flagship product, the recombinant collagen essence, which was alleged to contain only 0.0177% collagen, contradicting regulatory standards that require non-trace ingredients to exceed 0.1% [1][2][3] Company Summary - Juzhi Biotechnology, established in 2000, is a leading player in the recombinant collagen market in China, with a revenue growth from 900 million yuan in 2019 to 5.5 billion yuan in 2024, marking a more than fivefold increase [8] - The company reported a revenue of 5.539 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 57.2%, and a net profit of 2.062 billion yuan, up 42.1% [8] - Kefu Mei, the core brand of Juzhi Biotechnology, generated 4.54 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, reflecting a significant growth of 62.9% [9] Industry Summary - The recombinant collagen market in China was valued at 10.8 billion yuan in 2021 and is projected to surge to 219.38 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 44.93% [8] - The absence of industry standards for the collagen content in cosmetics has led to regulatory ambiguities, as highlighted by the ongoing controversy [7] - The recent scrutiny of Juzhi Biotechnology's products comes at a time when recombinant collagen is gaining popularity in the cosmetic industry, potentially replacing hyaluronic acid as a preferred ingredient [9]