Topic: Heavy! 2024 the proposal of the representatives of the financial and economic circles of the two sessions of the country (search version)

Editor's note: In recent years, major industries have developed vigorously, and more and more female scientific researchers and business managers have participated in them, becoming a pioneer in promoting innovation and technological progress in the industrial ecosystem. Especially in high-tech fields with scientific and technological innovation attributes such as biomedicine, female workers are using their extraordinary courage and wisdom to change the marginal position of women in these fields, bringing diversified perspectives to industrial development and providing Different possibilities. On International Women's Day 2024, "March 8th", Time Media launched a special planning report "Women We", inviting a number of female role models from the biomedical and scientific and technological fields to share with us how to become themselves and achieve themselves.

Zhao Yan, chairman and president of Huaxi Biology (688363.SH), has many halos. The most well-known one is "the helmsman of hyaluronic acid leading enterprises".

at the beginning of the 21st century, Zhao Yan came into contact with the predecessor of Huaxi biology by chance and realized that hyaluronic acid had a huge market demand for health and skin care. therefore, he decided to invest in Huaxi biology, enter the hyaluronic acid (commonly known as hyaluronic acid) track, and began to carry out reform. after that, he gradually bought land to build factories and independently built research and development centers. By 2007, Huaxi Bio has become the world's largest manufacturer of hyaluronic acid raw materials.

in 2019, huaxi biology, which experienced two strategic jumps from the invisible champion on the B side to the consumer market on the c side, went public on the board and became the "first share of hyaluronic acid".

However, keeping a business is more difficult than starting a business. With the continuous development of biotechnology and the intensification of market competition, coupled with the rapid development speed, Huaxi Bio's performance is under short-term pressure, and the development of enterprises is facing new challenges.

Zhao Yan has always believed in "success is the mother of failure". In her opinion, the more in the highlight moment and the more at the peak, the more likely it is to slack off and the more necessary it is to have a sense of crisis. She had an early insight into the changes in the market. As early as 2021, Zhao Yan said bluntly at the company's performance conference, "We are not only a hyaluronic acid company, hyaluronic acid is only our basic plate."

Synthetic biology becomes the next key word of Huaxi biology. Zhao Yan defines Huaxi Bio, which is currently developing, as "a biotechnology company driven by synthetic biotechnology innovation, and a platform company for the whole industry chain of biomaterials". And for such an exploration, the market has expectations more questioned.

Zhao Yan is no stranger to "questioning. As early as 1988, she resigned from the "iron rice bowl" of the teaching assistant of East China Normal University. When she went south to start a business, she experienced the surrounding doubts. That adventure in the eyes of the outside world eventually became the starting point of Zhao Yan's entrepreneurial journey in the future.

Therefore, 36 years later, when facing doubts, Zhao Yan can still maintain his original intention-firmly believe in the "power of belief", burn desperately, and move forward bravely.

Zhao Yan, Chairman and President of Huaxi Bio. Image source: provided by respondents

"Entrepreneurs have no gender"

Time Finance: More and more women in the field of scientific and technological innovation are seen. How do you view this phenomenon? According to your observation, have the working environment of women in the industry changed?

Zhao Yan: In the process of scientific and technological innovation, women have become an important backbone and play an important role. Take Huaxi Biology as an example. As of December 2023, Huaxi Biology had more than 900 R & D personnel, of which more than 500 were women, accounting for 62.4 per cent.

On the one hand, it shows that women's creativity and innovation ability are gradually rising and becoming stronger. Women's ability and strength are further recognized by the society, and they are also capable of taking on the important task of scientific and technological innovation and creating value for the society. On the other hand, it represents the equality of women's social status and the fairness and progress of our society. Women can equally enjoy the rights and resources of education, and can equally participate in economic and social development, and have the opportunity to show their talents in various positions and win respect. This is also an important manifestation of the harmony, happiness and security of our country and society.

There is no doubt that the working environment of women has changed greatly in terms of legal protection, workplace culture, education and training opportunities, and the development of women's abilities. The current environment is more equal for women., Open, more free, and more inclusive.

Time Finance: What do you understand about female power?

Zhao Yan: Female power not only refers to women's abilities in creativity, leadership, emotional power, etc., but more importantly, the resilience, self-confidence, positivity, sense of responsibility, sense of mission and other spiritual levels demonstrated by the female group. Strength and energy continue to create value for society, pursue an upward aura, and show wisdom and brilliance in life and work.

Time Finance: Currently, female leadership is on the rise. In a high-tech industry like biotechnology, does it mean more obstacles for women to achieve something? How do you break through these obstacles and gender boundaries?

Zhao Yan: Entrepreneurs have no gender distinction and face the same problems. Whether men or women, it is not easy to become a manager, exert leadership, and achieve something. In particular, the biotechnology industry is a front-end and innovative industry field in the society. It has relatively high requirements for innovation ability, new technology learning ability, and forward-looking prediction of industry trends. The entire industry environment is relatively more cutting-edge and open., Tolerance and fairness are more conducive to women's participation and challenges.

in my personal work and life, gender boundaries or limitations are basically few. on the contrary, they are some characteristics of being a woman, such as delicate, sensitive, strong toughness, good aesthetics, etc., which are more beneficial and enthusiastic for the healthy and beautiful business I am currently engaged in.

"The more you are at the top, the more you need a sense of crisis"

Time Finance: Since the second half of 2022, the capital winter has gradually enveloped the entire biotech industry ecological chain. What has the capital winter changed or advanced your understanding of your own work? What should biotech companies do in the winter?

Zhao Yan: First of all, we must realize that the "cold winter" is not only in the capital field. The arrival of the "cold winter" has accidental factors and certain natural laws. In the process of enterprise development, it is an inevitable external situation; Second, enterprises must have the ability to resist the "cold winter", that is, the ability to resist risks and core competitiveness, and be able to find their own certainty in uncertainty; third, we must have confidence. In the face of the cold winter, confidence is the most important. We must have confidence in the country, consumers, employees, and believe in the "power of trust".

Facing the "cold winter", companies must have anti-risk capabilities and core competitiveness, which are mainly reflected in two aspects: strong product power and supply chain control. It is necessary to use science and technology to support strong product power and adhere to continuous innovation capabilities. At the same time, companies must firmly grasp the security and control of the supply chain in their own hands.

Time Finance: What are the questions you are always thinking about? In recent years, with the global rise of China's biotechnology industry, have you generated some new questions and reflections behind the glory?

Zhao Yan: People must think differently at different stages, in different environments, and in different roles. As an entrepreneur, what I have been thinking about is how to do a good job in the enterprise, how to provide better products for consumers through the development of the enterprise, and create greater value for employees, partners, industries and society.

I have always believed that "success is the mother of failure". The more you are at the highlight moment and the more you are at the peak, the easier it is to slack off and the more you need to have a sense of crisis. Therefore, when the industry is booming, I think about how to deal with complex environmental changes, how to learn and master the rapid iteration of new technologies, how to meet the ever-changing market demand... As the helm of the enterprise, we must set new goals for the enterprise and enhance the core competitiveness of the enterprise, in order to truly move towards the development of long-term doctrine.

Time Finance: What are the possibilities for your company to look forward to in 2024?

Zhao Yan: As a synthetic biology-driven biotechnology company and a platform company for the entire industry chain of biomaterials, Huaxi Bio mainly relies on synthetic biotechnology to continuously develop and produce bioactive substances that are beneficial to human life and health. Therefore, from the core business of the company, we can expect our continued deep cultivation in the field of biological manufacturing supported by synthetic biology in 2024, as well as the research and development and breakthrough progress in new substances and new raw materials.

in addition, huaxi biology is working towards the goal of a world-class enterprise. in 2024, we will also make some moves in ESG, international layout, etc. I hope you can pay attention to it.

Time Finance: In the face of increasing uncertainty in life, how can young women gain strength from reality? What messages do you have for the younger generation of women?

Zhao Yan: I think human power must be obtained by relying on ourselves and the inside. External people and things are constantly changing. Only our own strength and inner strength can gain real power.

As a female entrepreneur, I hope that young women will not be afraid of failure, but have the courage to face the difficulties encountered and bravely meet the challenges. Women must be self-reliant, self-reliant, and self-love in order to have the ability to love others, to gain respect, and to have the courage to face problems and challenges.