In 2001, Zhao Yan saw opportunity in a pricey molecule confined to medical use: hyaluronic acid. As the founder and chairwoman of Bloomage Biotechnology, she bet on microbial fermentation to scale production, slashing costs and unlocking its potential beyond hospitals into skincare, wellness, and more.
Fast forward to today, Bloomage stands as one of the world’s top producers of hyaluronic acid, fueling products from serums to joint health supplements. The company’s push into synthetic biology and life sciences keeps it at the cutting edge, with breakthroughs that ripple across industries.
Central to this success is diversity: over 60% of Bloomage’s R&D team are women. Zhao believes that harnessing varied perspectives sparks the most powerful innovations, and her leadership reflects that conviction.
But Zhao’s vision extends beyond the lab. Through the public welfare project Cloud, she weaves sustainable development and cultural preservation into Bloomage’s mission, proving that biotech can thrive hand-in-hand with social responsibility.
From pioneering large-scale fermentation to championing global sustainability, Zhao Yan’s journey shows how a blend of bold science, diverse teams, and ethical drive can reshape an entire industry.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
