315 Exposé on "Exosome" Chaos Reveals Capital Connections

Special Topic: International Consumer Rights Day 2026 — Market Regulation in Action on March 15

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

From Unclear Mechanisms to Packaging as “Gods”

Exosomes are bioactive substances secreted during stem cell culture, but their mechanisms of action and clinical testing procedures are still not clearly defined in the medical and academic fields. They remain largely in the realm of academic and theoretical research. Ironically, this biologically active substance, which lacks definitive conclusions, has become a major target for “gods” in the medical aesthetics industry. CCTV’s 3.15 Gala investigation found that some companies package exosomes as “reversing aging” and “restorative regeneration” 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.

According to Tianyancha App, YuanChuang Gene was established in February 2016, with Zhao Yan as legal representative. The company is actually controlled by Zhao Hui and Rui Ji (Shenzhen) Investment Consulting Partnership, among others. Its business scope includes collection, storage, preparation, and technological research of stem cells and immune cells, as well as clinical research and translational applications of these cells. Notably, several 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 Gene, attention was also drawn to the background of its actual controller, Zhao Hui. Public information shows that Zhao has an impressive 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 world, Zhao Hui is both Chairman and Chief Scientist of Zhengzhou YuanChuang Gene Technology Co., Ltd., and a board member and audit committee member of Berry Genomics, a leading gene sequencing company.

From Certification Faking to “Using Platforms as Shields”

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

CCTV’s 3.15 Gala investigation revealed that a product called “Qingcheng” exosomes is widely sold 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 “faked” a license for collagen. 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) Co., Ltd.

Faking licenses, illegal additives, and illegal sales are just part of the chaos surrounding exosomes. In a southwestern city, Tan, the head of Jiebo Sai’er Biotechnology Co., Ltd., openly claimed they use exosomes to treat epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, and other diseases. CCTV footage showed her holding a “medical-grade exosome frozen raw solution” taken from a refrigerator, with no product information on the packaging—an obvious “three-no” product (no brand, no specifications, no production date). Since the company lacks medical qualifications, injections can only be administered through medical institutions, a practice industry insiders call “using platforms as shields.” Tan revealed that a treatment course involves 600 billion particles, costing 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, online complaints and criticisms from consumers are rampant: “I only had exosome treatment, and my whole face got infected with severe acne,” “I had the injection and developed allergies, my face was ruined for three months,” “Almost no effect at all, just a scam to take money.”

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 essential to verify safety and efficacy. Using products on humans without approval from drug regulatory authorities can pose risks, potentially causing damage to organs and functions, or even permanent harm.

Source: Beijing Business Today