Core Viewpoint - Qingfeng Biotech has completed a Pre-A round financing of several tens of millions, led by Baiyun Fund, to accelerate the development of AI-driven laboratory automation and expand production capacity [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Qingfeng Biotech, established in 2018, focuses on the R&D, production, and sales of high-end life science automation equipment and related modules, possessing fully independent core technology [2] - The company aims to break the long-standing foreign monopoly in the high-end laboratory automation equipment market, where imported brands hold over 95% market share [2] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The core of Qingfeng's large-scale liquid handling workstation is a flexible 8-channel liquid handling module with non-equidistant dual liquid level detection, crucial for expanding application scenarios [3] - In 2025, Qingfeng successfully won a bid for a large liquid handling workstation project valued at nearly 2 million, marking a significant step in domestic high-end laboratory automation equipment replacement [3] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The investment from Baiyun Fund will support Qingfeng in deepening technology transformation and industrial implementation [3] - Qingfeng is leading the establishment of the "Life Science Automation Innovation Center," which has been included in the list of innovation centers in Guangzhou, focusing on key technology R&D and promoting collaborative innovation [4] Group 4: AI and Automation Integration - The integration of AI and automation is seen as a significant advancement, with Qingfeng aiming to develop "self-driving labs" that enhance productivity [5] - The company's self-developed BioFlow AI translates scientists' natural language into executable experimental requirements, while Supervisor AI focuses on data governance and optimization [5] Group 5: Investment Background - Baiyun Fund, established in August 2017 with a registered capital of 200 million, is a private equity investment institution managing over 8.048 billion in assets and has invested in 62 projects [6]

Core Viewpoint - Qingfeng Biotech has completed a multi-million Pre-A round financing, led by Baiyun Fund, to advance its AI+ laboratory automation initiatives, including capacity expansion and the development of AI models [1] Market Status - The laboratory automation market is entering a stable growth phase, with AI becoming a key driver. The global market size is projected to reach approximately $8-8.3 billion in 2024, $9 billion in 2025, and $14-18 billion by 2030, maintaining a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9% [2] - In China, the AI-related laboratory market is expected to grow from approximately 15-20 billion RMB in 2024 to 20-25 billion RMB in 2025, and reach 50-60 billion RMB by around 2030, with a CAGR of 15-20% [4] Company Overview - Qingfeng Biotech, established in 2018, focuses on the R&D, production, and sales of life science automation equipment and integrated platforms. The company emphasizes system-level design and platform delivery capabilities rather than just single-device solutions [5] - The OutStanding large-scale automated pipetting workstation integrates high flexibility, modularity, and standardization, supporting multiple life science applications. It has successfully bid for a project valued at nearly 2 million RMB per unit, competing with imported brands [5] AI Integration - Qingfeng Biotech is enhancing its laboratory automation applications by integrating AI capabilities, focusing on the development of BioFlow AI and Supervisor AI models for experimental process management and data-driven optimization [6] - The trend of "AI+ smart laboratories" is evolving from single-point algorithms to core capabilities throughout the entire experimental process, aiming to reduce human error and improve operational efficiency [7] Post-Financing Strategy - The company's development focus is shifting from individual equipment to a systematic construction of "automation platforms + AI capabilities." The financing will be directed towards capacity, algorithms, application centers, and platform capabilities, highlighting the importance of scalable delivery and long-term technological evolution [8]

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].