Jun 2

Jun 2 How Bluepha is Thriving in the Asian Startup Ecosystem

We got the chance to sit down for a virtual interview with Dr. Haoqian M. Zhang, the CEO and co-founder of Bluepha, a biotech startup based in Beijing, to learn more about their journey of starting Bluepha after the iGEM competition.

Bluepha was founded by two iGEMers from different universities in China: Dr. Zhang himself from Peking University and Dr. Teng Li from Tsinghua University. They met at the iGEM Giant Jamboree in 2010 and have remained friends ever since.

“Great minds think alike” is perhaps the best quote to describe their friendship. Both Zhang and Li shared the same belief that the current methods available to solve environmental problems are outdated and that synbio should be further explored as a solution to these problems. In addition, Chinese government’s encouragement of citizens to initiate their innovative technology startups inspired Zhang and Li to establish Bluepha in 2016. The company works today with developing a bioplastic that can be biologically degraded within a short time.

Entrepreneurship is about Making the Impossible Possible

Entrepreneurs strive to make a change and impact on the world. To make their dreams a reality, entrepreneurs often follow unusual paths to build new ideas, develop solutions, and grow their ventures to the next level. What Dr. Zhang enjoys about the entrepreneurial journey is the freedom it comes with. It allows him to be creative without feeling any boundaries. Even though it can be a slow process, it’s worth the wait as believing that your idea could change the world is motivating in itself.

The company’s process for biomanufacturing of the degradable plastic PHA.

When making a startup, it is a long way, and there will be no final destination. There is no code of conduct to success. You are unfettered to do what you desire and to be as creative as you can.
- Haoqian M. Zhang, CEO of Bluepha

Despite the upsides and benefits of taking the entrepreneurial path, it’s not always a risk-free ride. A reality facing many founders is that investor funding can either make or break the startup. For Bluepha, one of their biggest hurdles to date happened in 2018, when an investor pulled out of an investment deal with the startup, leaving Bluepha with funds to survive for only roughly three months. The subsequent uncertainties surrounding the future of the company became their biggest obstacle. However, Zhang and Li relied on their determination and belief in their dreams, and were forced to take drastic actions in order to ensure the future of their company.

Bluepha Laboratory - More Than Just R&D

The iGEM competition has been a strong catalyst in the development of the synbio ecosystem in Asia. Despite the Asian entrepreneurial spirit being strong, there’s a lack in supporting platforms for synbio innovation in the region, Zhang adds.

Unlike many startups, Bluepha’s laboratory is not only used for the company’s R&D activities but also as an educational space. Throughout the years of starting Bluepha, the two co-founders realized that many Chinese iGEMers and students had similar ambitions as them to build their own startup. This lead to the establishment of the Bluepha Laboratory which today serves as a place for students to meet and learn more about synbio. The initiative offers teaching and coaching to iGEM teams, synbio summer bootcamps and extracurricular scientific research.

What’s next for Bluepha?

In the company’s early phase the main focus has been on developing a PHA bioplastic. However, the company is planning on expanding its portfolio in the future and launch new products. As an additional milestone in the next five years the company aims to enter the stock exchange and join China’s STAR Market, a new market for showcasing some of China’s most promising tech companies.

If you’re a Chinese student and iGEMer interested in synbio and entrepreneurship we recommend checking out lab.bluepha.com to learn more about the different opportunities Bluepha can offer you as an iGEMer.

- Meghiya Michelle | APAC Media & Outreach