Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the transformation of domestic companies from "follower" to "leader" in the laboratory automation industry, exemplified by the journey of Tan Xiaoshan, founder of Qingfeng Biotech, who has successfully led the company to compete with multinational giants in the field [2][3]. Industry Overview - The life sciences research sector is entering an "efficiency racing era," where high-throughput experiments and precision operations are essential. However, high-end laboratory automation equipment has long been dominated by imported brands, with over 95% market share held by foreign companies in large liquid handling workstations [3][6]. - Qingfeng Biotech has emerged as a new player in laboratory automation, achieving over 130 million yuan in intended orders shortly after launching four self-developed products in 2025, including innovations like non-equidistant dual liquid level detection technology [3][8]. Company Development - Tan Xiaoshan's entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 after leaving a job at a radiation technology center. His initial venture into the restaurant business failed, leading him to the scientific tools distribution industry, where he identified the challenges faced by domestic companies in the low-end distribution segment [6][7]. - In 2016, Qingfeng Biotech became the largest distributor for Aladdin in Southern China, prompting Tan to establish the company in 2018, initially focusing on OEM consumables before shifting to self-developed automation solutions [7][8]. Technological Breakthroughs - Qingfeng Biotech's strategy focuses on high-end, technologically advanced large liquid handling workstations, which face significant technical barriers. The company aims to break the monopoly of foreign brands by developing its own high-end products [8][10]. - The core technology of Qingfeng's workstations includes a non-equidistant flexible 8-channel liquid handling module, a capability previously only achieved by Hamilton. This required a multidisciplinary approach involving mechanical design, software algorithms, and materials science [11][12]. Team and Strategy - The company emphasizes the importance of its team, with over 75% of its 57 employees holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and more than 65% in R&D and application roles. The team is characterized by strong execution and a commitment to company culture [13]. - Qingfeng Biotech's strategic focus is on synthetic biology and drug screening, both high-value fields that require advanced automation solutions. The company aims to reduce costs and improve quality by achieving over 90% self-research rate for core components [13][14]. Future Plans - In 2024, Qingfeng Biotech plans to accelerate its growth through increased R&D investment and capacity expansion, alongside a focus on AI integration in laboratory automation [15][16]. - The company is developing BioFlow AI, which will enable scientists to generate experimental protocols from natural language, facilitating a shift towards intelligent automation in research [16]. Conclusion - Tan Xiaoshan envisions Qingfeng Biotech not just as a profitable company but as a leader in narrowing the gap between domestic and imported laboratory automation equipment. The company has made significant strides from its inception and aims to establish a strong foothold in the industry over the next three years [17].