The landscape of the recombinant collagen market in China is experiencing a thriving resurgence, marked by strategic advancements from leading companies in the industryNotably, Marubi Biotechnology and Gezi Biotechnology recently made significant strides in the patent domainMeanwhile, companies like Jinbo Biotechnology are accelerating their international expansion, and the entry of firms such as Shangmei Holdings has heightened market curiosityAccording to industry experts, there is a robust demand and supply for recombinant collagen, especially in the skincare and medical aesthetics sectors, where the commercialization rate and profit margins appear particularly promising in the short termIn a broader perspective, the growth of the recombinant collagen sector is projected to inject considerable momentum into the medical aesthetics industry, as the penetration rates and the trend towards 'light medical beauty' continue to rise, indicating substantial long-term growth potential for the sector.

Recently, significant technological breakthroughs have been recorded in this domainOn February 7, Marubi Biotechnology unveiled an invention patent focusing on cosmetics containing collagen and the application of reverse micelle carriers to enhance the retention of collagen within the skinJust a week later, on February 14, the company announced yet another invention patent for a wrinkle repair composition containing recombinant collagen and its preparation methodsMarubi Biotechnology has positioned itself as a trailblazer in the R&D and application of recombinant collagen technologies in China's cosmetics sector, significantly increasing its R&D investment in recent years and actively participating in the formulation of national standardsThe firm has also introduced innovative products such as the peptide red pen eye cream and collagen small gold needle essenceChairman Sun Huaqing emphasized the company's commitment to scientific innovation, highlighting their ambitious 'Double-hundred' R&D strategy, which combines efforts from over 100 dedicated engineers with contributions from more than 100 external experts and scholars

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Marubi has filed over 500 patent applications and has more than 300 authorized patents, while contributing to the development of over 50 national or industry standards.

In a notable advancement, Gezi Biotechnology has achieved a breakthrough in its research on type IV collagen, securing official authorization from the National Intellectual Property Administration for its unique patent on recombinant human type IV collagenAccording to Hualong Securities, Gezi Biotechnology's comprehensive placement in the type IV collagen research domain has solidified its status as a global leader in recombinant collagen, also laying a robust foundation for applications beyond dermatological sciences in the future.

The internationalization of recombinant collagen companies continues to gain momentumOn January 17, Jinbo Biotechnology, a publicly listed company specializing in recombinant collagen, announced that two products under its ProtYouth brand received FDA certificationEarlier, three other collagen serum products from ProtYouth had also been granted FDA approvalAdditionally, Jinbo recently introduced its new product, Rejuvenation Collagen No. 7, known for its anti-aging propertiesThis surge in product validation marks a growing acceptance and recognition of "Chinese ingredients" in the international market, signaling fresh opportunities for domestic medical beauty enterprises in the global industry chain.

Investors are showing keen interest in this promising sectorAccording to Frost & Sullivan's projections, the retail market size of recombinant collagen in China is expected to soar to 114.5 billion yuan by 2027, marking a compound annual growth rate of 41.45% from 2023 to 2027. As an emerging material, recombinant collagen has showcased remarkable growth potential, prompting a myriad of enterprises to intensify their focus on this arenaNotably, in December 2024, Shangmei Holdings partnered with Juyuan Biotechnology to establish a joint venture named Juyuan Shangmei Biotechnology, marking the foray of this prominent domestic beauty brand into the recombinant collagen sector.

Furthermore, Jinbo Biotechnology announced plans in December 2024 to propel its expansion in synthetical biology and overseas business development by signing a collaborative agreement with China Merchants Capital Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd

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The agreement includes a commitment to contribute up to 100 million yuan towards the establishment of a second phase of innovative services trade development guidance fund, positioning Jinbo as a limited partner in this initiativeThe company views this investment as a strategic exploration for long-term growth, aimed at bolstering its operations in the synthetic biology sector and uncovering new profit avenues.

Over recent years, the recombinant collagen field has witnessed vibrant investment activitiesIn 2024, aside from multiple single funding instances exceeding 100 million yuan, Junhe Alliance and Xiangya Biotechnology successfully completed two rounds of funding.

AI is becoming a significant catalyst for progress in this sectorAccording to Caixin Securities, the high demand and supply dynamics within the recombinant collagen sphere are fast-tracking commercialization in skincare and medical aesthetics, with promising profit margins on the horizonIn the medium to long term, a robust climate for the recombinant collagen market is set to contribute to the growth of the medical aesthetics industryThis will likely be complemented by an ongoing uptick in industry penetration rates and a shift towards less invasive beauty procedures, demonstrating confidence in the sector's long-term growth trajectory.

As companies innovate, they are leveraging AI to expedite their R&D processesFor instance, Chuangjian Medical's research team has utilized artificial intelligence technologies to conduct in-depth analysis and optimization of the amino acid sequences of type XVII collagenUsing AI algorithms, the researchers have successfully identified and isolated the high-activity functional core areas within the protein's triple helix structure, culminating in the crystallographic analysis of the protein structure, the results of which have been included in the Protein Data Bank (PDB).

Shangmei Holdings has outlined its operational aspirations for 2024 as part of its "Six-Six Strategy," emphasizing a commitment to "leading intelligent production." Vice General Manager Dai Lidong recently shared insights about the company's significant investment in its Fengxian factory, which has been reimagined into a smart factory spanning 20,000 square meters, aimed at maximizing capacity, quality, and efficiency while minimizing labor costs

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