WeDoctor BeiLian Eyes Unicorn Status in Assisted Reproductive Technology with AI-Driven Full-Service Platform

In the healthcare sector, there exists an "impossible trinity": expanding access to services, curbing the growth rate of healthcare costs, and improving the quality of medical care, which correspond respectively to accessibility, affordability, and quality. These three dimensions are inherently inconsistent in their underlying logic. The only way to resolve this healthcare impossible trinity is by introducing incremental technological advancements and innovative models.

This is particularly evident in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Information asymmetry and lack of transparency between healthcare institutions and patients often result in delayed or misguided treatment due to non-compliant practices by some providers. Certain institutions even prolong treatment courses to increase per-patient revenue, preventing patients from accessing high-quality care. Furthermore, given the high cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF), families with financial constraints require assistance, both in terms of improving success rates and alleviating the payment burden.

Change is imperative, and Weiyi Beilian aims to emerge as the industry leader. Established in 2014, Weiyi Beilian is an AI- and big data-driven internet company specializing in maternal and infant healthcare, with a focus on life and genetic sciences. Its two core business segments are the Maternal and Infant Big Data Management Platform and the Internet Hospital for Women and Children (specializing in infertility). Currently holding China’s only license for an internet hospital dedicated to women and children, the company concentrates on Maternal and Infant DMP and IVF services, having built a closed-loop ecosystem across its entire industrial chain comprising Bei Medical Care, Bei Medical Cloud, Bei Medical Insurance, and Bei Pharmaceuticals.

Focusing on the entire IVF industry chain and driven by AI and big data, WeDoctor Beilian has built an online infertility healthcare platform, an assisted reproductive medical consortium, cross-border medical services, preconception care centers, and fertility clinics, achieving seamless integration of online and offline processes. How does WeDoctor Beilian strategize its layout and approach in the assisted reproduction industry under technology-driven innovation to truly put patients at the center? To answer this, VCBeat conducted an exclusive interview with You Changqiao, Founder, Co-Chairman, and CEO of WeDoctor Beilian.

For patients with infertility, although the etiologies are complex and involve multiple medical specialties, treatment options are essentially limited to three approaches: pharmacological therapy, surgical intervention, and in vitro fertilization (IVF), with IVF offering the highest success rate and a clear clinical indication. For healthcare institutions, hospitals, and even investors, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has become the latest "star sector" due to its high average revenue per user, especially when compared to gynecology and obstetrics services. Furthermore, from a clinical perspective, IVF technology is highly mature; third-generation IVF, which aims at eugenics and healthy childbirth, serves a large patient population with strong demand.

The auxiliary reproductive industry, valued at hundreds of billions of yuan, has become a new hotspot for competition among various players and capital investors. However, pain points within the industry are ubiquitous. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an essential need for patients with infertility. "However, 70% of families cannot afford the procedure due to financial constraints," You Changqiao first told reporters. He shared his deep impressions from visits to provinces such as Henan and Shandong, noting that "even some non-compliant institutions, which should recommend IVF when patients are younger, often keep them hospitalized unnecessarily in pursuit of higher profits. As a result, these patients miss their optimal window for attempting IVF."

Since its establishment in 2014, WeDoctor Beilian has been continuously strategizing around the assisted reproductive technology industry:

Online, it has partnered with Jinjiang Reproductive Hospital and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) hospitals to establish an internet-based “Reproductive Medicine Consortium,” and leveraged WeDoctor’s Wuzhen Internet Hospital to connect with over 2,400 key hospitals and more than 260,000 physicians, providing users with online consultation services.

The offline layout has received comprehensive support from WeDoctor Group, featuring WeDoctor General Practice Clinics, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Medical Consortiums, TCM solutions for infertility, as well as IVF Centers, Preconception Care Centers, and Specialty Centers. Building on the “Reproductive Medicine Consortium,” the network is rapidly expanding its alliance of institutions under the “Specialty Medicine Consortium” to facilitate patient referrals, with 54 partner hospitals onboarded in the first phase.

From a global perspective, WeDoctor has strategically invested in the new IVF medical group under the Maochen Group, acquired the Australian biotech company Genea Biomedx, and established its presence in the United States, Russia, and Southeast Asia. In terms of technological development, it has partnered with Zhejiang University to establish the Ruiyi Artificial Intelligence Research Center.

Furthermore, in November last year, WeDoctor Beilian strategically acquired a controlling stake in BeiBeike. Both parties are committed to building an internet-based reproductive medicine alliance matrix, actively expanding into offline physical hospitals. By leveraging technological support from Internet Plus, AI, and big data, they aim to effectively disseminate professional expertise and medical resources, enhance the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of lower-tier hospitals in relevant specialties, efficiently facilitate vertical integration and coordination, and enable patients to enjoy more convenient, efficient, and high-quality medical services.

It can be said that WeDoctor Beilian has already achieved the provision of a closed-loop online-to-offline (O2O) health service solution covering the entire continuum of pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing. How has WeDoctor Beilian progressively refined its industrial layout, and what were the key priorities at each stage?

First, the establishment of a dedicated online infertility section enables precise matching of infertility patients with doctors and hospitals. “This is achieved by efficiently connecting hospital physicians and patients through an internet hospital platform. By leveraging traffic generation and integration via the online dedicated section, user and patient needs are responded to in real time.”

Second, breakthroughs in AI and big data have enabled the use of AI to assess the quality of oocytes, sperm, and embryos, thereby improving IVF success rates. Meanwhile, auxiliary decision-support systems structure patient needs, allowing physicians to make more accurate assessments of patients’ conditions. Furthermore, in disease course management, the prolonged treatment cycles permit optimization of workflows for medication, therapy, and health management. Finally, cloud-based SaaS systems help channel partners or service providers’ medical consultants enhance the professionalism and timeliness of their patient services.

Third, the establishment of medical consortiums. Many patients with infertility in remote areas or at primary healthcare institutions previously lacked access to high-quality services from top-tier doctors and hospitals. By linking primary infertility care providers with leading assisted reproductive technology (ART) centers and hospitals in China and even globally, medical resources are decentralized and made more accessible through these consortiums.

Fourth, we rigorously select and prioritize high-quality clinics and channel partners. “Information asymmetry is severe in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) industry. We carefully vet and select top-tier clinics overseas, while domestically we rigorously screen and choose reliable channel partners. As a result, patients can essentially find suitable hospitals and clinics directly on the Weiyi Beilian platform, and all channel providers serving these clinics are dependable and trustworthy. Our screening and assessment mechanisms are highly robust.”

The operational model of the online medical consortium is WeDoctor Beilian’s traditional strength. Regarding the key tasks ahead, You Changqiao summarized the current phase from a business perspective as “building a platform,” which primarily involves rigorously selecting and optimizing high-quality offline clinics or channel partners to ensure effective implementation.

In You Changqiao’s words, the positioning of WeDoctor Beilian is to “build China’s largest overseas IVF platform, integrating online and offline services as well as domestic and international resources to meet patients’ diverse needs. The positioning is clear, and its implementation must be technology-driven and patient-centric.” Therefore, the current focus is on how to “build the platform,” that is, to rigorously select and optimize clinics, hospitals, and channel partners to achieve seamless connectivity between both ends.

The channel partner landscape for assisted reproductive technology is highly complex. How does Weiyi Beilian conduct rigorous and optimal selection? First, partners are classified into three tiers: A, B, and C.

Class A distributors operate overseas clinics and maintain direct sales channels in China. Class B distributors do not have overseas clinics but have extensively expanded their distribution networks. Class C distributors are small-scale operators, akin to mom-and-pop shops.

“Our collaboration models with these three types of institutions are also differentiated. We basically cooperate with all Class A institutions, which are our preferred partners.” You Changqiao likened this model to the JD.com model, where stores with different characteristics can join the platform, prices vary among institutions, and each tier—high, medium, and low—has its own unique features.

In contrast, Class B institutions adopt a strategy of broad-based selection, extensive coverage, and strengthened cohesion, whereas Class C institutions are subject to rigorous selection with strict screening mechanisms, coupled with maximum support for their regulatory compliance and growth. Following the collaboration, WeDoctor Beilian employs the following three key strategies to fortify its systemic barriers:

First, we help distributors cultivate long-term development plans for the industry. “The industry is filled with many family-run shops that may have their own resources. Their mindset is to make money on a deal-by-deal basis, lacking a sense of belonging and security. This leads to what? Exaggerated claims, arbitrary fees, and many lingering negative consequences. After being integrated into leading healthcare companies within the Tencent ecosystem, we help them establish long-term career planning and a sense of belonging.”

Secondly, it helps distributors improve their conversion rates. “Mom-and-pop clinics lack trust endorsements; by joining Tencent-affiliated healthcare companies, they can gain higher patient trust and are unlikely to engage in short-term profiteering.”

Additionally, it reduces channel partners’ costs and boosts profitability. “WeDoctor Beilian has established a comprehensive global network of preconception care centers and assisted reproductive technology hospitals, along with its own marketing and advisory teams. These resources can be shared, thereby lowering overall costs and increasing profits.”

Building on these three core strategies, WeDoctor Beilian leverages its efficient SaaS platform to enhance operational efficiency, standardize market practices, and regulate sales conduct. In essence, WeDoctor Beilian has achieved integrated online and offline patient services centered around the patient, while also realizing collaborative management.

You Changqiao disclosed a set of data to reporters: currently, WeDoctor’s infertility and sterility section serves 10 million users with infertility issues, including 1.5 million users seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) services and 200,000 users seeking overseas ART services. “Previously, we focused more on online services, relatively neglecting where patients went for care. However, to ensure comprehensive control over medical and service quality throughout the entire process, we are stepping up our offline infrastructure development and strategic layout, truly achieving integration between online and offline services.”

You Changqiao believes that platforms need to focus on strengthening offline medical care and services, achieving end-to-end integration and control, so that patients can enjoy truly satisfactory medical and service quality characterized by the synergy of standardization and personalization. This is because the essence of healthcare ultimately lies in its outcomes; in the field of assisted reproduction, the core mission is to help patients solve their fundamental challenge of having children. The healthcare industry must be built on patient trust, and medical practices must not be allowed to fall into a state of disarray.

You Changqiao is a staunch technocrat. In interviews, he has repeatedly emphasized that IVF technology could shape the future destiny of humanity, which explains his deep passion and dedication to the assisted reproductive technology (ART) industry. This technology offers new hope for couples with special needs, helping them achieve family fulfillment. Moreover, population issues have become one of China’s top priorities. In 2018, the number of newborns in China was only 15.23 million, a sharp decline of 2 million from the 17.23 million recorded in 2017. Policy regulations are expected to continue loosening, while management frameworks will become increasingly refined.

Moreover, from a clinical perspective, China is undoubtedly at the forefront globally. However, there is still room for improvement in healthcare service management and technological innovation. For instance, in the United States and Russia, the primary care physician responsibility system ensures that the entire medical consultation process remains controllable. Additionally, overseas clinics place greater emphasis on individual differences, with more refined control over procedural workflows.

WeDoctor Beilian will also forge deep collaborations with renowned tertiary Grade A hospitals specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART) across China, as well as overseas ART institutions. Leveraging technological breakthroughs such as AI and big data, and powered by a diagnostic decision support system, it will precisely monitor the quality of sperm, oocytes, and even embryos, thereby establishing a leading hub for the discipline of assisted reproduction.

Furthermore, in contrast to countries such as the United States and Russia, where assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are covered by social security and medical insurance systems to boost fertility rates, “payment solutions are also a key initiative we aim to promote in the future. For instance, we are exploring financial innovations such as oocyte cryopreservation insurance, infertility insurance, and installment payment plans. We are currently discussing potential collaborations with major insurance companies; however, for assisted reproduction, it is imperative to first address compliance issues, including cross-border payment mechanisms.”

From the perspective of the capital market, You Changqiao believes that, compared to purely offline physical institutions, Weiyi Beilian, with internet healthcare at its core, has achieved integration between online and offline services, covering the entire patient journey from pre-diagnosis consultations to post-treatment rehabilitation, thus offering greater growth potential. “Of course, all of this is centered on addressing patients’ core needs.” In the future, Weiyi Beilian’s women’s and children’s health and assisted reproduction segments will have more ambitious plans in the capital market.

As for the plan for the second half of the year, WeDoctor Beilian will continue to invest in clinics with strong reputations and high success rates to establish deep partnerships, thereby building a global industrial chain layout spanning China, the United States, Russia, and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the company will strive for excellence by continuously breaking new ground in business models, medical service workflows, and medical technologies, aiming to identify key solutions that achieve an optimal balance among accessibility, affordability, and quality of care in the field of assisted reproduction.