Recently, the highly anticipated Fifth Time Pie Aging Intervention Forum concluded successfully in Shanghai. This grand event brought together over 1,000 anti-aging experts, scholars, and industry leaders, including renowned Singapore anti-aging advisor Brian Kennedy, Barry Halliwell (the father of free radical aging and ergothioneine theory), British billionaire and industry leader Jim Mellon, and Phil Newman, founder of the high-impact longevity platform Longevity.Technology, to discuss the latest research and industrial trends in anti-aging science.
At this, Asia’s largest anti-aging forum, the star ingredient “ergothioneine” took center stage. Among the notable participants, GeneIII, a leading international supplier of high-quality ergothioneine raw materials, made a standout appearance. GeneIII shared its cutting-edge achievements in ergothioneine research and product applications since its founding three years ago.
At the event, Barry Halliwell, professor at the National University of Singapore and pioneer of free radical aging and ergothioneine research, highly praised GeneIII’s latest advancements in ergothioneine applications. In a handwritten message, Professor Halliwell expressed his “warm respect and gratitude for the excellent promotion of this innovative product.” Reflecting Halliwell’s sentiments, ergothioneine is transitioning from theoretical research to global market applications, with Chinese biotech companies like GeneIII leading the way. Through transformative innovation and technology, GeneIII is making rare and valuable anti-aging compounds like ergothioneine more accessible to people worldwide.
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Making “Gold-Priced” Anti-Aging Ingredients More Accessible
Achieving the Top Spot in the Ergothioneine Category in Three Years
“GeneIII Biotech has been focused on ergothioneine for three years now. We’ve turned it into something affordable for every household, striving for excellence in anti-aging and ingredient concentration. We’re committed to gaining increasing recognition within the industry and from consumers,” said Ding Wei, founder and chairman of GeneIII Biotech, in an interview with Time Pie.
In recent years, ergothioneine has become the undisputed star ingredient in anti-aging. According to data from Tmall Global, ergothioneine sales surged by 6,000% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. Research shows that ergothioneine is the strongest natural antioxidant found in the human body—a small-molecule amino acid with powerful anti-oxidative effects that can directly reach mitochondria and cell nuclei to combat aging. This has made it a favorite among scientists worldwide. Professor Barry Halliwell from the National University of Singapore, regarded as the father of free radical aging and ergothioneine theory, has dedicated his life to ergothioneine research, including pioneering studies on human ergothioneine levels.
Despite extensive research with over a thousand academic papers globally, ergothioneine was once prohibitively expensive, limiting its applications. Before 2018, ergothioneine could only be extracted from rare fungi like Ganoderma, and prices reached up to $30 million. By 2021, advancements in synthetic biology brought the cost down to $300,000 per kilogram, though it remained priced as high as gold. Notably, since its founding in 2021, GeneIII Biotech, under Chairman Ding Wei and Chief Scientist Dr. Wang Yang, achieved scalable production and application of ergothioneine in just three years. GeneIII’s ergothioneine boasts a 99.99% purity, and the company operates the country’s only cGMP-standard ergothioneine production platform, with a fermentation capacity of 30 tons and monthly output of 3-5 tons, fully meeting global demand. By leveraging synthetic biology, GeneIII has also reduced ergothioneine’s raw material cost by 90%.
With its strong position in raw materials, GeneIII’s ergothioneine products quickly gained impressive sales and brand influence. Each GeneIII ergothioneine capsule contains 30 mg of ergothioneine with 99.99% purity, with 2 capsules roughly equivalent to 750 grams of fresh Ganoderma. The capsules have received positive feedback for improving sleep, boosting vitality, and delaying aging. According to Ali Business Advisor data from October 2024, GeneIII ergothioneine capsules topped Tmall Global’s best-seller, highest-rated, and repurchase lists. Additionally, GeneIII ranked as the top ergothioneine brand on the Chinese social platform Xiaohongshu in 2024, with market interest rapidly increasing year-on-year, highlighting its strong potential and commercial value.
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From Standard Setting to U.S. GRAS Certification: Driving International Market Applications for Ergothioneine
At the Fifth Time Pie Aging Intervention Forum, Professor Barry Halliwell delivered a keynote titled “The Role of Antioxidants and Free Radicals in Human Health and Disease.” He highlighted the importance of antioxidants and discussed the anti-aging benefits of ergothioneine (EGT) beyond oral beauty applications. Halliwell’s research team discovered links between low EGT levels and various diseases and found that supplementing with EGT improved symptoms of stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s in animal models by protecting dopamine neurons—sparking considerable discussion.
Echoing Professor Halliwell’s presentation, GeneIII Biotech shared insights on the broad applications and scientific basis for ergothioneine in a talk titled “Riding the Wave: Applications and Scientific Evidence of Ergothioneine in Various Fields.” GeneIII’s Founding Partner and VP of Raw Materials, He Rujun, discussed EGT’s use in skincare, oral beauty supplements, and eye drops, expressing gratitude to Professor Halliwell for his contributions to ergothioneine research and application. During the event, GeneIII’s work and extensive product line deeply impressed Professor Halliwell, who signed The GeneIII Ergothioneine Book, stating, “Warm regards and thanks for excellent marketing of a novel product!”
Since its founding, GeneIII Biotech has been instrumental in advancing ergothioneine’s market applications. In the skincare sector, GeneIII helped establish China’s first industry standard, Cosmetic Ingredient Standard for Ergothioneine, in September 2023, providing clear guidelines for its regulated use in cosmetics.
In the food sector, GeneIII’s ergothioneine raw material received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) certification from the U.S., signifying its safety and quality in line with the FDA’s highest standards.
The GRAS expert review report on GeneIII ergothioneine highlighted its rigorous safety assessment, setting a safe serving size of 30 mg, applicable in dietary supplements like nutritional beverages, cereal bars, and coffee/tea drinks. This represents the broadest range of applications and highest additive levels in the history of GRAS certification. Additionally, based on the standard intake of 8 mg per kg of body weight, an adult weighing 60 kg has a daily EGT intake safety limit of 480 mg. This certification not only confirms the safety of GeneIII’s ergothioneine but also enhances its credibility and market acceptance in the dietary supplement industry, paving the way for international market entry.
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GeneIII’s Original Ergothioneine Eye Wash: The “Sell-Out Star” of the Time Pie Aging Intervention Forum
At the Fifth Aging Intervention Forum, GeneIII Biotech showcased a range of products featuring its proprietary ergothioneine ingredient across skincare, dietary supplements, and personal care items. This included an anti-aging serum with a luxurious 5000+ PPM ergothioneine concentration and oral capsules containing 30 mg of ergothioneine each. However, the highlight of the event was GeneIII’s innovative ergothioneine eye wash, which received high praise from international scholars and drew enthusiastic crowds eager to try it. According to GeneIII staff, “The response to GeneIII’s ergothioneine products was overwhelming, especially the eye wash—it was so popular! By the last day, all 1,000 samples we brought had been completely sold out.”
GeneIII’s ergothioneine eye wash is a global first, setting a new record with a GMV of over 2 million RMB within just 6 hours of launch, making it a true best-seller. This eye wash contains a high concentration of 5000+ PPM ergothioneine with 99.99% purity, designed to penetrate the mitochondria within eye cells for repair. Free from any medicinal or preservative ingredients, the eye wash is exceptionally gentle and non-irritating, providing an immediate “brighter vision” effect that has proven especially beneficial for people with dry eyes, those who wear contact lenses for extended periods, and individuals experiencing eye strain.
Studies have shown that ergothioneine is effective in alleviating eye fatigue and dry eye symptoms. Professor Halliwell from the National University of Singapore has demonstrated that ergothioneine is an essential component for eye health, helping to maintain the redox balance in the eyesxidative stress is implicated in numerous retinal diseases, and ergothioneine is among the most potent agents against oxidative stress, the eye wash shows great potential for use in treating retinal diseases, macular degeneration, floaters, and glaucoma .
During forum, GeneIII’s research team engaged in deep discussions with Professor Halliwell on the applications of ergothioneine, particularly in eye health. They also conducted academic exchanges with Marc P. Bernegger, an investor in longevity, Brian Kennedy, a professor at the National University of Singapore, Richard A. Miller, an international anti-aging researcher at the University of Michigan, and Professor Nazif Alic from University College London. Together, they explored ways to incorporate safe and effective anti-aging ingredients into a broader range of products.
With this collaborative spirit, GeneIII Biotech is set to join forces with global leaders in the field of anti-aging, striving to advance human health and longevity to new heights for the benefit of all humanity.
[1] Research indicates that one pound of fresh Ganoderma (Reishi mushroom) contains 40 mg of ergothioneine (0.08 mg/g, 80 mg/kg).
[2] Source: MDPI journal, National University of Singapore Life Sciences Center.
[3] Source: Jaipur Government University, “The Role of Ergothioneine, Glutathione, and Ascorbic Acid in Normal and Aged Cataract Lenses.”