Baifuan Bio

Suzhou Baifuan Enzyme Technology Co., Ltd., operating as Baifuan Bio, is a synthetic biology company positioned to disrupt traditional chemical production methods. The company was established in 2014 by Professor Xu Jianhe, a distinguished academic in the field of enzyme engineering. His journey began with the creation of China's first biocatalysis research lab in 1996 and includes over two decades at the State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, culminating in significant accolades such as a first-prize at the Shanghai Science and Technology Awards in 2019. This deep academic and research background forms the company's scientific foundation. The core management team includes co-founder Li Chunxiu, who serves as CFO, and other seasoned executives with experience in drug chemistry and production management.

Baifuan Bio's business model revolves around leveraging its proprietary enzyme technology platform to develop and manufacture high-value molecules that are difficult to synthesize using conventional chemical methods. The company operates a dual-pronged strategy: producing its own products and offering CRO/CDMO services to clients in the biopharmaceutical sector. Its target markets are extensive, including pharmaceutical intermediates, functional foods, animal nutrition, daily chemical care, and renewable materials. By focusing on green biomanufacturing, the company provides a more sustainable alternative to traditional, often polluting, chemical synthesis processes.

The company's core asset is a proprietary library of over 3,000 industrial lead enzymes, which underpins its technology platforms for enzyme gene mining, molecular modification, and green process development. This enables the production of a wide array of products, such as chiral alcohols, chiral amines, amino acids, and vitamins. For instance, Baifuan Bio has developed a synthesis platform for chiral amines, creating building blocks for fine chemicals used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, addressing issues like low yield and high emissions associated with traditional methods. The company has successfully collaborated with nearly 20 downstream partners, achieving scale-up and mass production for several products, including a production line for the pharmaceutical intermediate Diltiazem and another for (R)-lipoic acid. With an R&D center in Shanghai and a pilot plant in Suzhou, Baifuan Bio is equipped to handle the entire chain from initial research to scaled production, having established a 3,000-square-meter facility in 2024 to bring its product pipelines to industrial scale.

Keywords: synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, biocatalysis, green chemistry, pharmaceutical intermediates, chiral compounds, chiral amines, CRO services, CDMO services, biomanufacturing, industrial enzymes, enzyme library, sustainable chemicals, specialty chemicals, functional food ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, fine chemicals, API synthesis, process development