Zhongke LanZhi Biotech: Pioneering Green Synthetic Biology with Proprietary SCGP Technology for Natural Glucosylglycerol Production

Guided by policies such as the “Dual Carbon” strategy and the “14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomy Development,” synthetic biology has garnered significant attention, emerging not only as the core of green manufacturing but also as a key technology driving industrial upgrades in sectors including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and light industry. As synthetic biology moves toward practical application and more related products achieve large-scale production, greener biological manufacturing—more economical and environmentally friendly—is increasingly replacing traditional chemical synthesis.

Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. (“Zhongke Lanzhi”), which has mastered multiple core technologies, has signed an agreement with Lidao Town in Rongcheng City to jointly promote the development of marine-related industries and accelerate synthetic biology intelligent manufacturing for a green future.

On the morning of October 20, 2023, the signing ceremony for the microalgae-derived bioactive raw material product project between Zhongke Lanzhi and the Lidao Town People’s Government was grandly held in Rongcheng City, Shandong Province. Attendees included Wu Xuyong, Deputy Director of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “QIBEBT, CAS”); Liu Quanliang, Deputy Mayor of Rongcheng City; Xu Bin, Deputy Director of the Rongcheng Municipal Bureau of Commerce; Wang Xin, Deputy Director of the Rongcheng Municipal Science and Technology Bureau; Chu Haijun, Deputy Director of the Rongcheng Municipal Marine Development Bureau; Liu Huanxin, Secretary of the Lidao Town Party Committee; Chen Xiaoning, Deputy Secretary of the Town Party Committee and Mayor of Lidao Town; and Duan Yangkai, Chairman and General Manager of Zhongke Lanzhi, among other dignitaries.

This signing ceremony marks the beginning of a new journey toward industrialization for Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. It not only enhances the company’s competitive strength but also introduces cutting-edge international research concepts to the local area, empowers the revitalization of the marine economy with technological innovation, and injects new momentum into the development of the marine industry!

Located in Cangerya Village, Lidao Town, this project covers a total area of approximately 150 mu and represents the first large-scale, standardized microalgae industrial base wholly invested and constructed by Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. The project primarily focuses on two core segments: microalgae cultivation and the processing, development, and sales of active ingredient products. The microalgae cultivation segment is planned to be implemented in two phases. Phase I, occupying approximately 70 mu, is expected to be completed and commence production in March 2024; Phase II will cover approximately 80 mu. The segment dedicated to the processing, development, and sales of active ingredients is mainly engaged in the deep processing of cultivated microalgae raw materials, product research and development, and primary sales, with implementation scheduled to begin in 2024.

Liu Quanliang, Deputy Mayor of Rongcheng CityIt was stated that the microalgae-derived bioactive ingredient project signed this time not only has a positive impact on boosting the local economy of Lidao but also provides strong support for the high-quality development of the city's marine economy.

Liu Quanliang, Deputy Mayor of Rongcheng City

Liu Huanxin, Party Secretary of Lidao TownIt was stated that Lidao Town boasts significant locational advantages and a robust industrial foundation, having made ample preparations to support the establishment and development of enterprises. Both parties will take this signing as a starting point to accelerate project construction, expand the scope of cooperation, and integrate all local resources to jointly support the growth of Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd., thereby achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Liu Huanxin, Party Secretary of Lidao Town

Wu Xuyong, Deputy Director of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesQingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd., a typical representative of the transfer and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has carved out its own development path through years of arduous entrepreneurship. The establishment of this project in Lidao Town, Rongcheng, aims to further promote industrial technological innovation, achievement transformation, and local economic and social development!

Wu Xuyong, Deputy Director of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Duan Yangkai, Chairman and General Manager of Zhongke LanzhiIt stated that, with the continuous growth of market demand, Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. has established its own production base to promptly prepare for capacity expansion. This inaugural self-owned standardized production base not only demonstrates the company’s determination and strength but also lays a solid foundation for future production of other new products and the commencement of its commercialization journey. This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support and assistance from the Rongcheng Municipal Government, Lidao Town Government, the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and all other parties involved. The company is confident in continuing to uphold its development philosophy of “grounding itself in technological innovation and creating first-class products,” remaining true to its original aspiration on the path of sustainable development, forging ahead steadily, and making due contributions to society.

Duan Yangkai, Chairman and General Manager of Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd.

Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. was established in 2018 as an incubatee of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The founding team comprises multiple researchers from the institute’s Microbial Manufacturing Engineering Center. As a high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, and sales of bioactive ingredients, the company is dedicated to advancing applied microbial synthetic biotechnology for the green biomanufacturing of bioactive molecules. It pioneered internationally an advanced biomanufacturing technology for naturally pure microalgae-derived glyceryl glucoside, successfully achieving industrial-scale application of the technology and commercialization of its products.

Glucosylglycerol (GG) is a class of naturally occurring bioactive small heteroglycoside molecules found in nature. It can be synthesized by various green plants (such as lilies and resurrection plants), algae (such as multiple species of cyanobacteria), and certain heterotrophic microorganisms, playing a crucial role in helping living organisms resist and adapt to adverse environmental conditions.

Due to its excellent biocompatibility, stability toward biomacromolecules, high moisture-retention capacity, non-cariogenic nature, and potential health-promoting and therapeutic effects, GG holds substantial application potential in cosmetics, enzyme preparations, food, and pharmaceuticals.

In the field of skincare and beauty, studies have shown that GG can promote collagen expression, delay cellular aging, and smooth out wrinkles; reduce the release of inflammatory factors and soothe skin inflammation; enhance cell healing rates and increase stratum corneum granules, thereby strengthening the skin barrier and boosting aquaporin expression in skin glial cells for deep hydration; and upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression to improve microcirculation in hair follicles, thus nourishing and protecting hair.

Studies have also found that glyceryl glucoside exhibits scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, DPPH radicals, and superoxide anion radicals, with a hydrating and moisturizing efficacy 1.5 times that of sodium hyaluronate.

In recent years, with the revelation of new functions of GG in enhancing skin elasticity, inhibiting microbial growth, promoting the expression of cellular active factors, and exerting anti-tumor effects, its application scenarios have continued to expand, driving rapid growth in market demand.

Although glyceryl glucoside is beneficial, its preparation remains unsatisfactory. The quality of domestically produced glyceryl glucoside products varies significantly, with high-quality GG primarily relying on imports.

In today’s era of advocating green and low-carbon practices, the market demands glyceryl glucoside that is high-purity, naturally configured, and environmentally friendly with a low carbon footprint, whereas traditional synthetic methods fail to achieve such breakthroughs.

After eight years of dedicated research, the Microbial Manufacturing Engineering Center at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has broken foreign technological monopolies by developing SCGP technology—the world’s first advanced biomanufacturing process for producing pure natural marine microalgae-derived glyceryl glucoside. This entire production process is green and environmentally friendly, relying on no organic solvents.

Glyceryl glucoside (GG) prepared using SCGP technology achieves a purity of up to 99%, representing the current highest international standard. Supported by this core technology, market awareness of glyceryl glucoside has gradually expanded. Building on this foundation, Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. has successfully achieved the commercialization of GG and launched star products such as Annuoin and Kelanoin. These products have obtained EU COSMOS natural certification, making them the world’s first purely natural GG products and filling the gap in the international market for purely natural GG offerings.

Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. has developed a proprietary “secret method” for producing high-quality γ-glucan (GG), featuring core technological innovations across every stage—from rigorous strain selection and photosynthetic microalgae cultivation to extraction, processing, and premium purification. On one hand, the company achieves stable and efficient conversion of carbon dioxide during the photosynthetic carbon fixation phase in algal cells, enabling substantial accumulation of GG. On the other hand, its non-destructive cell extraction technology allows GG to be selectively secreted from individual cells, significantly reducing the difficulty of subsequent separation and purification, and ultimately yielding GG with a purity as high as 99%. Dr. Duan Yangkai stated, “Our process is about simplification; we can obtain products with 99% purity through physical processes alone.”

GG Preparation Process by Zhongke Lanzhi. Image source: Zhongke Lanzhi

Regarding public concerns about whether the discharge of Japan’s nuclear wastewater into the ocean will affect the quality and yield of cyanobacteria, VCBeat has learned that the algal strains used by Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. in the production of GG are not cultivated in seawater. Furthermore, algal strain acquisition methods are diverse and not limited to marine environments; the company has already established a library of hundreds of algal strain resources stored in laboratories, eliminating the need for repeated collection from specific regions. Therefore, the discharge of nuclear wastewater will not impact the yield or quality of GG produced by Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi. The collaboration achieved through this project will further ensure the quality and stability of algal strain supply.

Zhongke Lanzhi Microalgae Cultivation Demonstration Base

Glyceryl glucoside offers anti-aging, soothing, hydrating, and moisturizing benefits. While it may appear similar in function to the currently popular hyaluronic acid, there are significant fundamental differences between the two.

Dr. Duan Yangkai introduced that hyaluronic acid is a macromolecule with a molecular weight ranging from tens of thousands to millions; unless administered via injection for dermal filling, it can only remain on the skin’s surface. In contrast, glyceryl glucoside is a small molecule with a molecular weight of merely 254 Da, enabling it to penetrate directly into the dermis to lock in moisture and provide hydration. When combined with hyaluronic acid, it achieves comprehensive, three-dimensional skincare benefits from the outside in.

For consumers seeking anti-aging benefits, glyceryl glucoside is a more suitable ingredient. It establishes cellular "space stations" deep within the skin, stimulates the synthesis of anti-aging factors, and nourishes and repairs cells, thereby delaying cellular aging and achieving effects such as wrinkle reduction and anti-aging.

When viewed beyond the efficacy of any single product, there are over 9,000 types of cosmetic raw materials. The final performance of a cosmetic product results from the synergistic combination of all its ingredients, rather than relying on any single substance to deliver the entire benefit. To maximize the efficacy of glyceryl glucoside and target specific skin concerns, Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. formulates glyceryl glucoside in combination with complementary ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and Pro-Xylane. This approach deeply activates the product’s performance, achieving a skincare effect where “1+1>2.”

As consumers adopt a more rational approach to cosmetics, their selection of skincare products has shifted from an exclusive pursuit of international luxury brands to a greater focus on the intrinsic value of the products—namely, the efficacy directly delivered by ingredients and formulations. Coupled with increasingly stringent domestic regulations regarding the safety and efficacy claims of cosmetics, these trends have imposed higher requirements on the sourcing and quality of cosmetic raw materials.

Natural, safe, gentle, and effective ingredients will become the new direction leading the development of the cosmetics industry. Zhongke Lanzhi’s green synthetic biology manufacturing aligns well with this demand.

In the fields of skincare and health care, the company has achieved comprehensive growth, with its products adopted by hundreds of brands. Currently, Zhongke Lanzhi is laying out its maternalBaby Products, Oral/Nasal/Ocular Care, Feeding Ingredients, Pet Supplies, Disinfection-Grade Products, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical Productsand other fields, fully gearing up for commercialization.

Based on its strong growth momentum and promising commercial prospects, the company has securedLeTong Capital, Haitang Fund, Shangshi Capital, Tianjin Yangkai, and other institutions have cumulatively invested tens of millions of yuan, driving a rapid increase in valuation.

Amid its robust growth, Qingdao Zhongke Lanzhi Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. is continuously strengthening its patent moat. The company has filed 46 patents, with 20 granted. Leveraging its technological innovation and leadership, the company has been recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise and a Qingdao “Specialized, Refined, Differential, and Innovative” SME, and was selected as one of Shandong Province’s Gazelle Enterprises in 2023.

“Though the road is arduous, perseverance leads to arrival; though the task is difficult, action ensures success.” Discussing future strategic layout in the broader health sector, Dr. Duan Yangkai stated that, adhering to the development philosophy of “applying one generation, reserving one generation, and exploring one generation,” the company is currently focusing primarily on microalgae-based development. In later stages, it will expand into synthetic biology technology fields such as yeast and filamentous fungi, aiming to become a global leader and pioneer in establishing customized green biosynthetic systems.

References:

1. "Review: 50 Years of Research and Development on Glyceryl Glucoside (GG)"

2. “Deep Insight! Biotechnology Safeguards the R&D and Innovation Journey of Glyceryl Glucoside”