After retinol, and peptides, who will be the next star anti-aging ingredient? The answer is recombinant collagen, especially recombinant human collagen.
Recently, L’Oréal made a high-profile launch of a new product containing recombinant collagen, igniting another wave in the cosmetics raw material market as it prepares for the new year. This has made many industry professionals exclaim that the application of recombinant collagen, known as the “fourth giant of anti-aging,” is entering a period of explosive growth.
As one of the most representative Chinese ingredients in recent years, the success of recombinant collagen did not happen overnight. It is the result of Chinese companies’ long-term investment in fundamental research, continuous breakthroughs in scientific challenges, and ultimately breaking through technological barriers. Jinbo Bio, with its leading advantage in recombinant human collagen, has become an outstanding player in the field of recombinant collagen.
So, why can Shanxi Jinbo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (Jinbo Bio) take on the development of recombinant human collagen? What core competencies lie behind it? And what important plans does it have for the future?
Recently, the A-Type Recombinant Human Collagen New Material Technology and High-Quality Development Forum, hosted by Jinbo Bio, was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi. At this forum, CHAILEEDO had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the core research and development team of Jinbo Bio to gain a deeper understanding of their “secret weapon” in the field of recombinant human collagen.
Exploring the Uncharted Territory of Type III Collagen: A Global First
Jinbo Bio, known as the “First Stock of Recombinant Collagen” on the Beijing Stock Exchange, the holder of the “Most Expensive” stock record in the history of the Beijing Stock Exchange, and the first Chinese registration certificate for Class III recombinant human collagen medical devices… These numerous accolades demonstrate Jinbo Bio’s formidable strength in the field of recombinant human collagen.
Looking back at Jinbo Bio’s scientific exploration of recombinant human collagen, it resembles a battle through uncharted territory, with each step venturing into new, unexplored domains.
Research has found that collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body and has a wide range of applications in promoting hemostasis and wound healing in the skin and mucous membranes, inhibiting scar formation, improving skin condition, and enhancing skin elasticity. The human body contains at least 29 different types of collagen, with higher levels of Types I, II, III, IV, and V collagen.
The process of obtaining collagen from humans has gone through stages of extraction from human bodies to animal sources. However, these extraction methods have limitations due to ethical concerns and the potential for immune rejection. It was not until the emergence of recombinant collagen that a more perfect solution was found. In the 1980s, Dr. Uitto J and others in the United States obtained Type I and Type III procollagen through the in vitro culture of human skin cells, marking the beginning of recombinant collagen research.
In China, the research on recombinant collagen began around the turn of the 21st century, and Jinbo Bio can be considered one of the first companies to take the leap.
In 2008, Yang Xia, a former teacher at Shanxi Medical University, founded Jinbo Bio. Starting with functional proteins, the company collaborated with Fudan University on research to prevent HPV transmission and launched anti-HPV biological protein products.
During the forum, Professor Jiang Shibao, a professor at Fudan University, a member of the American Academy of Microbiology, and the Chief Scientist of Jinbo Bio, recalled, “After conducting joint research with Jinbo Bio on prevention of HIV transmission, we established the Fudan-Jinbo Functional Protein Joint Research Center to further deepen our collaboration.”
Since then, Jinbo Bio’s collagen research team has grown stronger, with the addition of heavyweight scholars such as Academician Zhang Xingdong from Sichuan University, who specializes in collagen applications, and Professor Hu Lina from Chongqing Medical University, who is engaged in clinical research. This has greatly enhanced Jinbo Bio’s research and development capabilities in recombinant human collagen.
Quantity leads to quality. With the support of a top-notch research and development team and years of scientific accumulation, in 2018, Jinbo Bio, in collaboration with Fudan University, the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sichuan University, and other top domestic research institutions, conducted 30,000 experiments and discovered for the first time a highly active functional region derived from Type III collagen.
The research found that the amino acid sequence of this functional region can spontaneously assemble into the unique triple-helical structure of collagen without the need for auxiliary proteins and cross-linking agents. Crystal structure data showed that the triple-helical structure assembled from this functional region exhibited a flexible bending form of 164.88° (compared to the typically observed 180° horizontal structure in known human collagen triple helices).
This is the first global discovery and analysis of the core functional region of Type III collagen. This marks an important moment in the development of recombinant collagen.
Jiang Shibao stated, “Using bioinformatics, structural biology, and peptide technology platforms, we identified the optimal functional region fragment in human Type III collagen and constructed recombinant Type III human collagen.” Thus, Jinbo Bio has developed a unique approach to the development of “core functional regions.”
Ultimately, Jinbo Bio’s research team replicated this 164.88° triple-helical functional region multiple times. Through further studies, they found that it can self-cross-link and self-assemble into a higher-order collagen fiber network. This led to the development of recombinant Type III human collagen materials with clear triple-helical structures, available in various specifications and application scenarios, providing greater possibilities for clinical use.
Overall, Jinbo Bio’s series of recombinant Type III human collagen products have higher biological activity than the body’s own collagen, do not contain any non-human collagen amino acid sequences, can precisely bind to human cells, have low allergenicity, and demonstrate excellent efficacy. They possess a leading advantage in the market.
Obtaining the First Type III Medical Device Certificate and Leading the Establishment of Industry Standards
After 15 years of research and innovation, Jinbo Bio has completed the atomic structure analysis and production of the five types of collagen proteins found in the human body, achieving a breakthrough from 0 to 1 in the production of recombinant Type III human collagen protein.
In June 2021, Jinbo Bio’s recombinant Type III human collagen protein freeze-dried fiber product obtained the first domestic registration certificate for Class III medical devices, marking the end of the era of animal collagen injections that lasted for over forty years.
Currently, the recombinant collagen protein market is still in a rapid development stage, with both pharmaceutical companies and beauty brands eager to get a share. On the other hand, there are still gaps in the verification methods and industry standards for the triple-helix structure of recombinant collagen protein.
However, Jinbo Bio has always adhered to a spirit of scientific rationality, ensuring that the recombinant Type III human collagen protein withstands rigorous testing to prove its structural and functional efficacy. During the forum, Yu Feng, the director of the Key Laboratory of Functional Proteins in Shanxi Province, gave a comprehensive introduction to the innovative advantages of recombinant Type III human collagen protein.
According to Yu Yufeng, Jinbo Bio’s development process for recombinant Type III human collagen protein can be divided into four steps. First, there is the large-scale screening of the core functional region of Type III collagen protein, followed by the verification of the intrinsic structure and function of the core functional region through atomic structure analysis. Then, the functional region is repeatedly concatenated, and finally, the recombinant protein is produced on a large scale using biotechnology.
Based on experimental data from experts such as Zhang Xingdong, the recombinant Type III human collagen protein from Jinbo Bio has demonstrated anti-aging effects such as promoting collagen regeneration and reducing collagen degradation. Additionally, it has shown significant effects in terms of moisturizing, soothing and repairing the skin, antioxidation, and brightening the complexion.
Furthermore, Jinbo Bio has confirmed the triple-helix structure of their recombinant Type III human collagen protein through various detection methods such as cryo-electron microscopy, CD chromatography, and X-ray diffraction.
Regarding the question of the penetration and absorption of recombinant collagen protein by the skin, Liu Ming, a researcher at Jinbo Bio, stated, “Recombinant Type III human collagen protein has a specific charge structure. Through various transdermal experiments, including 3D skin fluorescence staining, pig skin experiments, and human trials, we have found that Jinbo Bio’s recombinant Type III human collagen protein can penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis.”
While achieving a leading advantage in the field of recombinant Type III human collagen protein, Jinbo Bio also plays the role of an industry leader, contributing to further standardizing the industry.
CHAILEEDO noted that in January of this year, the National Medical Products Administration issued an announcement approving the YY/T 1888-2023 “Industry Standard for Recombinant Type III Human Collagen Protein,” with Jinbo Bio as one of the drafting and standard-setting units.
Wang Jian, the Deputy Dean and Quality Director of the Functional Protein Innovation Research Institute at Jinbo Bio, and one of the drafters of the standard, stated, “Recombinant collagen protein has been developed by companies internationally many years ago, but the technology for recombinant Type III human collagen protein is an original creation of China, and relevant national departments attach great importance to it.”
According to Wang Jian, the aforementioned standard mainly applies to medical device materials that do not contain non-human collagen protein amino acid sequences. The introduction of this standard also marks the entry of recombinant Type III human collagen protein into a standardized development era.
Following that, Chen Chuanxiu, the Manager of the Applied Transformation Department at the Functional Protein Innovation Research Institute of Jinbo Bio, provided an analysis of the recombinant collagen protein market.
Citing information from CHAILEEDO, Chen Chuanxiu stated that it is estimated that by 2027, the market size of recombinant collagen protein will reach 108.3 billion yuan, accounting for 62.3% of the collagen protein market. This year, the market share of functional skincare products containing recombinant collagen protein has surpassed that of recombinant collagen protein medical dressings for the first time, indicating tremendous market potential.
Leading the Next Revolution in Recombinant Collagen Protein
In the market and consumer mindset, “collagen = anti-aging” requires little explanation. As a leading Chinese company in the field of international recombinant collagen protein, the anti-aging efficacy of Jinbo Bio has become the next focus of competition and growth in the beauty market.
During the forum, Yang Huimin, Senior Product Manager of the International Raw Material Department at Jinbo Bio, introduced the product matrix and future plans for Jinbo Bio’s Type A recombinant human collagen protein raw materials. She also revealed that they will launch a new series of self-assembling, visually appealing, and more efficient Jinbo Intelligent Type III recombinant human collagen protein products early next year. Additionally, there will be more fundamental and applied research information on Jinbo Intelligent Type XVII recombinant human collagen protein, empowering the personal care and beauty industry.
Yang Huimin stated that leveraging the solid foundation and rich collagen library accumulated by Jinbo Bio over the years in the field of recombinant human collagen protein, they will also introduce other types of collagen, such as Type IV reticular collagen, Type V fiber collagen, and Type VII anchoring collagen. In terms of functional regions, as different fragments of various types of collagen may have different functions, Jinbo Bio will continue to conduct in-depth research to identify the differences between various types of collagen.
In addition to focusing on the skincare market and studying the overlay of various collagen types, the upgrade of oil-soluble collagen and other encapsulation technologies, Jinbo Bio will also explore the development of raw materials suitable for skincare cosmetics in the field of recombinant human collagen protein.
It is worth mentioning that in November of this year, Jinbo Bio released the Jinbo Intelligent Type XVII recombinant human collagen protein ARHC XVII Powder, which has gained considerable attention in the market in terms of high safety and strong effectiveness in the direction of anti-aging and repair. (See CHAILEEDO report “Recombinant Collagen Protein for Hair Regrowth and Anti-Aging Is Here!”)
Early next year, the new series of Jinbo Intelligent Type III recombinant human collagen protein products will also be launched, following Jinbo Bio’s development strategy of the “core functional region.” These products will possess the core functional region of Type III collagen, 164.88° flexibility, multiple GER/GEK integration recognition sites, as well as inter-chain interactions, easy self-assembly, and self-crosslinking advantages, further amplifying the high safety and powerful efficacy of Type A recombinant human collagen protein.
Regarding the issue of transdermal absorption, Yang Huimin also added that after self-assembly, Jinbo Intelligent Type III recombinant human collagen protein has a diameter in the range of hundreds of nanometers, allowing it to be absorbed through intercellular pathways and hair follicles. Additionally, the surface structure of self-assembled collagen has charge absorption properties similar to endogenous collagen, which promotes absorption.
Yang Huimin also stated that Jinbo Intelligent Type III recombinant human collagen protein has repairing and anti-aging effects, with an effective concentration as low as 1 ppm. It can be applied to various scenarios such as sensitive skin, post-sun repair, eye aging, nasolabial folds, neck wrinkles, etc., leading the application of recombinant human collagen protein into a new era.
Regarding the future market for recombinant collagen protein, Lan Xiaobin, Deputy General Manager of Jinbo Bio and Dean of the Functional Protein Innovation Research Institute at Jinbo Bio, summarized and analyzed that compared to animal-derived collagen and hyaluronic acid, recombinant collagen protein is in a period of rapid development. With continuous technological advancements, it is expected to further expand its applications in various downstream fields. Currently, it has achieved large-scale production of skincare and medical beauty water-light products, and in the future, it will make breakthroughs in filling materials and tissue engineering for repair and regeneration.
Undoubtedly, recombinant collagen protein is entering its golden age, and Jinbo Bio, relying on solid research and development and a long-term scientific research spirit, has become a leader in the era of recombinant collagen protein, leading the market to a new stage.
