Early Life
Zhong Huijuan was born in April 1961, in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. She graduated with a degree in chemistry from Jiangsu Normal University in July 1982. Following her graduation, she worked as a chemistry teacher at Yan'an Middle School in Lianyungang.
Rise to Success
In 1995, Zhong Huijuan made a significant career change when she left her teaching job to establish Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical. Initially, the company had a small team of about ten employees. Hansoh focused on developing treatments for various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, diabetes, and central nervous system disorders. By 1997, the company's revenue reached $4.5 million. Hansoh Pharmaceutical had its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2019, raising $1 billion. This event made Zhong the richest self-made woman in Asia, with a net worth of $10.5 billion. Zhong holds a 66% stake in Hansoh Pharmaceutical through the Sunrise Trust. Her wealth increased significantly in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Business Strategies
Zhong Huijuan's key business strategy involved a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D). Hansoh invested heavily in innovation, which distinguished it from other pharmaceutical companies in China. The company's R&D budget later grew to nearly 10% of revenue, an unusually high level for a Chinese pharmaceutical company. Hansoh also focused on developing original medicines, rather than just generics.
Philanthropy
While specific amounts of Zhong Huijuan's philanthropy are not available in the search results, her commitment to the pharmaceutical industry suggests potential contributions to healthcare-related causes.