"Exosome" Chaos Implicates Beier Gene Director

(Source: Qianlong.com)

On March 15, CCTV’s “3.15” evening show once again exposed the gray areas in the medical beauty industry, revealing chaos surrounding the so-called “万能” (all-purpose) exosomes. Zhengzhou YuanChuang Gene Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “YuanChuang Genetics”) was directly named, and its actual controller, Zhao Hui, also holds a special position as a current director of the A-share listed company Berry Genomics.

From Unclear Mechanism to Packaging as “Godly”

Exosomes are bioactive substances secreted during stem cell culture, but their mechanisms of action and clinical testing procedures remain unclear in the medical and academic fields. They are still largely in the research and theoretical stage. Ironically, this uncertain bioactive substance has become a major target for “gods” in the medical aesthetics industry. CCTV Finance investigation found that some companies package exosomes as “anti-aging” and “regenerative” miracle cures, exploiting information asymmetry to deceive consumers. In reality, these products lack rigorous clinical trial support, and related manufacturing standards are in a regulatory gray area.

Tianyancha app shows that YuanChuang Genetics was established in February 2016, with Zhao Yan as legal representative. The actual shareholders include Zhao Hui and Rui Ji (Shenzhen) Investment Consulting Partnership, among others. The company’s business scope includes collection, storage, preparation, and technological research of stem cells and immune cells, as well as clinical research and translational applications. Notably, many of its patent applications have been rejected, including “a cryopreservation solution and method for immune cells” and “a preparation method for skin fibroblasts.”

Following the exposure of YuanChuang Genetics, attention has also been drawn to the background of its actual controller, Zhao Hui. Public information shows that Zhao Hui has a prestigious academic background—having conducted postdoctoral research at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in the U.S., serving as an associate researcher, and earning a Ph.D. from the Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In the business realm, Zhao Hui is both chairman and chief scientist of Zhengzhou YuanChuang Genetics and a board director and audit committee member of leading gene sequencing company Berry Genomics.

From Fake Credentials to “Using Platforms as Shields”

“Exosomes have been really popular in the past two years, especially in the anti-aging field.” This is one of the hottest product descriptions in the recent medical aesthetics market. Although the National Medical Products Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation issued a draft for public comment in June 2025, proposing to regulate exosomes with therapeutic functions as drugs, no exosome-based drug has yet received approval for market sale in China.

The “3.15” investigation found that a product called “Qingcheng” exosomes was selling well across major medical aesthetic clinics, claiming to be a “Class II medical device.” However, its manufacturer, Haolin (Tianjin) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., admitted that to evade market regulation, they “used” a collagen license. Tianyancha shows that the company was established in June 2019 with a registered capital of 10 million yuan and has invested in multiple enterprises, including Haolin Biopharmaceuticals (Tianjin).

Fake credentials, illegal additives, and illegal sales are not the full picture of the exosome chaos. In a southwestern city, Tan, the head of Jebosaier Biotechnology Co., Ltd., openly claimed they used exosomes to treat epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, and other diseases. Investigators saw a “medical-grade exosome frozen raw liquid” taken from the refrigerator, with no product information on the packaging—completely a “product with no labels.” Since the company lacks medical qualifications, injections can only be done through medical institutions, a practice industry insiders call “using platforms as shields.” Tan revealed that a treatment involves 600 billion particles per session, charging customers up to 60,000 yuan.

Additionally, Tianjin Nankai Chengxing Medical Beauty Clinic was also named in the “3.15” exposure. Tianyancha shows that Tianjin Chengxing Medical Beauty Clinic Co., Ltd. was established in February 2018 with a registered capital of 1 million yuan, with only three employees as of 2024. Intellectual property data indicates that two of its trademark applications have been rejected and invalidated.

Meanwhile, many consumers’ complaints and criticisms flood the internet: “I only had exosomes, and my whole face got infected with severe acne,” “I got the injection and had an allergic reaction, my face was ruined for three months,” “Almost no effect at all, just a scam.”

Yang Yue, a researcher at Tsinghua University School of Pharmacy, pointed out that all medical technologies and drugs must undergo rigorous preclinical and clinical research before human use. This strict process is necessary to verify safety and efficacy. Using products on humans without approval from drug regulatory authorities may pose risks, potentially damaging organs and functions, or even causing permanent harm.

Beijing Business Daily reporters Wang Yinhao and Song Yuying