In the second half of the performance-oriented competition, the “Chinese element” with independent intellectual property rights is gradually becoming a key driving force in brand competition.
Looking back at the rise of the Chinese cosmetics industry, the gradual emergence of the “Chinese element” as the core competitive strength of brands is a result of the respect and adherence to independent intellectual property rights by countless cosmetics researchers. Huiwen Biology is undoubtedly one of them.
At the recently concluded Shanghai CBE, CHAILEEDO discovered at Huiwen Biology’s booth that this company, which has been focusing on independent research and development for over 30 years, still stands at the forefront of the research and development field. They not only showcased various new products such as “Tremella Fuciformis Oligosaccharide” but also provided comprehensive beauty and cosmetics innovation solutions to the market.
The era of Tremella 3.0
At Huiwen Biology’s booth, the first thing that catches the eye is the eye-catching combination of dopamine-colored blocks. These different blocks not only represent Huiwen Biology’s deep insights and differentiated thinking in the current market segments, but also the confidence and connotation accumulated over the years in the field of “professional science”.
From sensitive and acne-prone skin care to scalp care and baby skincare, the products showcased by Huiwen Biology almost cover the full range of demands in the current market for efficacy. One of Huiwen Biology’s flagship products is the newly upgraded ‘Tremella Fuciformis Oligosaccharide.’
Over 20 years ago, Huiwen Biology embarked on a journey from plant sources to find plant materials that could replace the original hyaluronic acid component. Their attention eventually turned to Tremella, also known as the ‘King of Fungi.’
Since then, five scholars, including Professor Liu Guiyun, an expert in cellular physiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Sun Ce, a pioneer in the field of polysaccharides, Professor Zhou Yunli, a renowned scientist in the field of medicinal chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Yang Ruichang from the Edible Fungi Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Professor Wang Xiong from the Institute of Botany at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, came together to conduct research on Tremella polysaccharides. After years of research and nearly ten thousand experiments, they finally developed a new generation of hyaluronic acid-like substance with skin nourishing and protective effects called ‘Tremella Polysaccharide WSK.’
Under Huiwen Biology’s special preparation process, the molecular weight of Tremella Polysaccharide WSK can reach over 3 million Da, ensuring the integrity of the structure and the content of core functional ingredients to the maximum extent. It also guarantees high purity and enhances its wide range of possible applications.
However, Huiwen Biology did not stop there. After the introduction of Tremella Polysaccharide WSK, they continued to optimize the product and launched WSK-L, which has a lighter molecular weight. The newly unveiled ‘Tremella Fuciformis Oligosaccharide’ at CBE represents the third-generation achievement of Tremella polysaccharides by Huiwen Biology, marking the official entry of Huiwen Biology into the era of ‘Tremella 3.0.’
It is understood that ‘Tremella Fuciformis Oligosaccharide’ is based on years of cultivation in the technological field, accumulating a large number of specific enzymes. Through targeted cleavage suitable for the large molecular structure of Tremella polysaccharides, different molecular combinations of Tremella polysaccharides are achieved. It can promote fibroblast secretion, reduce key indicators of telomere damage, stimulate collagen production, and resist the aging of keratinocytes. This once again provides more possibilities for the research and application of Tremella polysaccharides.”
Research and Development as the Foundation, Huiwen Biology Leads in the Polysaccharide Field
In an interview with CHAILEEDO, Luofeng, Chairman and General Manager of Huiwen Biology, once stated, “Technology is a direction for the future development of the cosmetics market. We have always emphasized that sticking to the status quo is not enough to ensure the long-term competitiveness of Chinese enterprises; continuous innovation is necessary.”
These principles stem from the research and development genes inherent in Huiwen Biology.
It is understood that Huiwen Biology’s predecessor, Shenzhen Wenda Industrial, was established in 1985 by Liu Guiyun, an expert in cellular physiology at the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and several research colleagues. Initially engaged in pharmaceutical research, Huiwen Biology was established in 2001 as a platform for the transformation of scientific research achievements, focusing on the research and development of functional active substances. Since its inception, Huiwen Biology has adhered to the philosophy of combining science and innovation.
The commitment to research has yielded fruitful results for Huiwen Biology. To date, Huiwen Biology has obtained 10 domestic and international invention patents and one new utility model patent for Tremella polysaccharides. It is worth noting that unlike design patents and utility model patents, invention patents undergo preliminary examination, publication, and substantive examination before being granted. Once successfully applied, they are protected for up to 20 years, showcasing the technological advantages.
However, Huiwen Biology’s exploration in the field of Tremella polysaccharides has not been without challenges. During the initial phase of overseas promotion, the stringent testing standards in countries like Japan posed difficulties, and no Chinese raw materials made it onto Japan’s list of functional active substances for cosmetics. Despite facing skepticism, Huiwen Biology’s Tremella polysaccharide WSK eventually obtained all nine safety certifications based on the Ministry of Medical Affairs’ standards. With its high quality and zero bacterial detection, it became one of the first Chinese enterprises in the field of functional active substances for cosmetics to enter the Japanese market.
Currently, Huiwen Biology’s Tremella polysaccharides have become synonymous with high-quality raw materials. Multiple experimental results show that Tremella polysaccharides produced by Huiwen Biology have a molecular structure similar to hyaluronic acid. However, Tremella polysaccharides not only possess a high-molecular-weight main chain but are also rich in various small-molecule heteropolysaccharides, which endow this ingredient with additional potential benefits. For example, when used as an antioxidant, Tremella polysaccharides can effectively inhibit the activity of reactive oxygen species, thereby exerting a powerful antioxidant effect.
After more than 20 years of dedicated efforts, Huiwen Biology has elevated the commonly consumed Tremella from its basic culinary value to unprecedented heights. It has rightfully become a leading force in the polysaccharide field of the cosmetics industry.
Huiwen Biology Protects “Chinese Ingredients” and Achieves Long-termism
According to the “White Paper on the Chinese Beauty Industry” jointly released by Xiaohongshu and CHAILEEDO, over 60% of consumers have high expectations for innovative technology or ingredients in Chinese beauty products. This has become a key driving force for attracting consumer attention and enhancing brand recognition in the Chinese beauty industry.
It can be seen that independent intellectual property rights are gradually becoming the foundation for Chinese brands to establish themselves in the market. However, based on the growth of Huiwen Biology, the path of establishing “Chinese ingredients” in the market and expanding globally remains arduous and lengthy.
Previously, internationally renowned companies expressed their desire to sign long-term exclusive agreements with Huiwen Biology, but Huiwen Biology politely declined. When asked about the reason, Huiwen Biology told CHAILEEDO, “China needs manufacturers who strive for excellence, but it needs original inventors even more. We hope to make Chinese products have a profound impact globally and serve global consumers.”
In fact, each component and formula with independent intellectual property rights is the “cradle” and essential foundation for the development of enterprises and brands. Ignoring this fact will undoubtedly have a significant negative impact on the development of the company itself and even the entire industry. However, this also highlights the need for companies in the Chinese cosmetics industry, like Huiwen Biology, with innovative and pioneering spirits to safeguard intellectual property barriers and steer the industry towards long-termism.
Today, Huiwen Biology not only collaborates with industry associations to establish industry standards for Tremella polysaccharides, improving and standardizing industry technology and production thresholds but also continuously develops more products with independent intellectual property rights through various technological approaches, including natural product extraction, fermentation, and synthetic biology. The company has accumulated over 700 mature formulas and 34 patents, with its products being used by over 1,500 global brand customers.
In the current beauty market, not all companies choose to focus on research and development. There is no shortage of imitative, trend-following, or even direct plagiarism practices. However, such competitive approaches often lead to product homogeneity and directly affect the subsequent development momentum of companies.
Therefore, for brands and the entire beauty market, starting from scientific innovation and technological breakthroughs, and relying on high barriers to entry and comprehensive intellectual property protection, is what will allow the industry to return to the essence of healthy competition, as Huiwen Biology has always insisted on.
The beauty market is still undergoing transformation, and in the future, every brand and company needs to consider what kind of approach to choose to move forward continuously.
