Recently, the 6th CMC-China Pharmaceutical Industry Expo (referred to as the “Pharmaceutical Expo”), jointly organized by Pharma Circle, the China Food and Drug Promotion Committee, and Shangshuai Business School, successfully concluded at the Suzhou International Expo Center. Concurrently, the CMC China Synthetic Biology “Scientist + Entrepreneur + Investor” Conference, hosted by Synbio Shenbo, was also held. This grand event integrated the entire industry chain, attracting over 25,000 participants, including more than 600 pharmaceutical industry leaders and experts, 350 exhibitors covering the entire pharmaceutical industry chain, representatives from over 2,000 pharmaceutical companies, and more than 5,000 decision-makers, all working together to shape the future of synthetic biological manufacturing.
During the event, the “Outstanding Synthetic Biology Enterprise” list was released. Among more than 350 participating companies, Nanjing-based synthetic biology company GeneIII stood out and won the “2024 Outstanding Synthetic Biology Enterprise” award at CMC China.
Founded in 2021, GeneIII is a synthetic biology technology company integrating R&D, production, and sales.
- Founder and Chairman Ding Wei previously served as Senior Vice President of A.O. Smith Group USA, President of A.O. Smith (China) Investment Co., Ltd., and CEO of Hengjie Group. He holds over 20 original patents.
- Co-founder and Chief Scientist Dr. Wang Yang holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from Oregon State University and was a postdoctoral researcher in Biomedical Sciences at UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
In 2023, GeneIII was named to the “Top 50 Most Valuable Synthetic Biology Enterprises” alongside Bloomage Biotech and Giant Biogene. In the same year, GeneIII was selected as a synthetic biology industry partner for CCTV’s “Quality China” program.
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Rising to the Top: GeneIII Becomes a Leading Ergothioneine Manufacturer in Just Three Years
“GeneIII was established only three years ago, yet we have rapidly industrialized the production of ergothioneine, a mitochondrial-level antioxidant, using synthetic biology technology. We can proudly say that GeneIII has become a world-class manufacturer of ergothioneine raw materials, boasting the highest quality, largest production capacity, and most competitive costs.”
These were the words of Ding Wei, founder and chairman of GeneIII, during the “Challenges in the Industrialization of Synthetic Biology” roundtable discussion. He emphasized, “Our skincare products, capsules, and especially our original ergothioneine eye wash are all formulated with a full dosage of ergothioneine, thanks to our significant cost advantage.”
Indeed, in just three years, GeneIII has achieved:
- 99.99% purity in its ergothioneine raw materials
- A 30-ton fermentation tank with a monthly production capacity of 3 tons, meeting global supply demands
- A 90% cost reduction through synthetic biology innovations
With these raw material advantages, GeneIII’s ergothioneine-based products have achieved remarkable sales success and brand influence.
- Alibaba Business Advisor data shows that GeneIII has reached No.1 on Tmall International’s Ergothioneine Supplement Sales Ranking.
- Xiaohongshu’s official report indicates that in 2024, GeneIII ranked No.1 in the “Ergothioneine” hot search category, reflecting its surging market presence and commercial potential.
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GeneIII’s Original Ergothioneine Eye Wash: Over $1M Sales in 15 Days
At the event, GeneIII showcased its full range of ergothioneine products at its “Anti-Hype Market” booth, attracting over 5,000 visitors for product trials. Among them, GeneIII’s original ergothioneine eye wash became one of the hottest products.
This product is the world’s first and only eye wash infused with ergothioneine. Within just 15 days of launch, it surpassed $1 million in sales, establishing itself as a new bestseller in GeneIII’s portfolio.
“This original ergothioneine eye wash is a game-changer. After 14 years of struggling with dry eye syndrome, I finally found a real solution.”
— He Rujun, GeneIII’s co-founder and VP of Raw Materials Business, during his keynote speech “Seizing the Trend—Applications and Scientific Basis of Ergothioneine”.
Why Ergothioneine for Eye Care?
Scientific research shows that the eyes contain the highest levels of ergothioneine in the body. Due to prolonged exposure to oxygen, high oxygen consumption, and intense visual activity, oxidative stress builds up, leading to eye fatigue, dryness, and even diseases.
GeneIII’s original ergothioneine eye wash contains 5000+ PPM of 99.99% pure ergothioneine. With its ultra-small 229 Dalton molecular structure, it effectively eliminates free radicals, reducing oxidative stress without the use of hormones, preservatives, or drugs.
The product has passed SGS bacterial testing, eye irritation tests, and third-party certifications, receiving strong market feedback for relieving eye fatigue, redness, and dryness.
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“People First”: A Highly Skilled R&D Team Operating 24/7
GeneIII, headquartered in Nanjing, strategically leverages the city’s high density of universities and scientific research talent. The company follows a “people first, business second” philosophy, continuously strengthening its in-house research team and collaborating with external research institutions to maintain a technological edge.
Chairman Ding Wei stated:
“Nanjing offers a rich talent pool, a lower cost of living than top-tier cities, and strong government policies supporting innovation-driven enterprises.”
Currently, over 60% of GeneIII’s employees hold master’s or doctoral degrees from top Chinese universities (985/211 institutions).
The company’s laboratories operate 24/7, with a three-shift system, ensuring continuous progress in fermentation, purification, and industrial-scale production.
“We ensure that every day, new experimental data is generated, and new synthetic biological raw materials are developed to meet evolving consumer needs. This is how GeneIII rapidly commercializes its innovations.”
— Ding Wei, Chairman of GeneIII
Beyond R&D, GeneIII actively invests in brand building and industry networking. The company collaborates with:
- Industry experts
- Independent formulators
- Cosmetic scientists from top international companies
- Dermatologists and pharmaceutical researchers
- Leading content creators in the beauty and wellness sector
Through exhibitions, salons, lab tours, and factory visits, GeneIII educates key opinion leaders (KOLs) about ergothioneine’s unique advantages.
A Market Leader in Synthetic Biology
By integrating raw material innovation with consumer branding, GeneIII has built a stronghold in the synthetic biology sector. It has successfully established its own technology, production facilities, and marketing network.
By leading the ergothioneine market and enhancing industry awareness, GeneIII is paving the way for future innovations in synthetic biology. More companies are expected to follow GeneIII’s model, expanding the blue ocean of synthetic biological applications.
Referrence：
[1]Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1997 May;117(1):117-20.
[2]Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 30(5):p 441-443, Sep–Oct 1982.