_{Dr Chen Xueping gives a presentation on the zebrafish embryo testing for whitening essence of skincare products.}

Established in 2010, Vitargent is a pioneer in the field of safety testing technology by using medaka and zebrafish embryos to perform toxicity tests. Clients include global cosmetics and skincare companies, food and beverage conglomerates, leading testing laboratories and governments. Vitargent was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2015.

A PhD graduate in environmental toxicology from City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Dr Chen Xueping is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited (Vitargent). She is a registered toxicologist in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Vitargent was established in 2010 by Dr Chen Xueping and Eric Chen, another CityU alumni. It is a pioneer in the field of safety testing technology, employing patented CityU technology that uses transgenic medaka fish and zebrafish embryos to detect estrogenic endocrine disruptors and test for up to 1,000 toxicants within 24 to 48 hours across products. It has the only ISO17025 accredited laboratory in Asia that provides fish embryo-based toxicity testing.

_{Vitargent was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2015. The company’s core members (from left): Dr Chen Xueping, Mr Eric Chen, Mr Jimmy Tao and Mr Jeffrey Cheung. (Photo source: Dr Chen Xueping)}

Vitargent has received funding support from CityU, the Hong Kong government’s Innovation and Technology Fund and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s (HKSTP) Incu-Bio programme, and financing from various investors. Having established a research base in HKSTP since 2011, it now employs nearly 60 people. The Hong Kong team focuses on R&D, while their colleagues in mainland China are responsible for business development and information technology. The biotechnology company has developed projects with the governments of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Shenzhen, including the joint establishment of laboratories, testing platforms and product databases. It also plans to set up its own laboratory in mainland China.

Following the changes in the social and business environment, Vitargent has gradually changed its focus from ensuring product safety to supporting corporates in reducing the use of toxic raw materials and enhancing product quality.

Meanwhile, China began to implement the new “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics” in 2021, which marks the first reform of the country’s cosmetics industry in some 30 years. Authorities, industry associations and manufacturers need efficient and effective ways to ensure that products and regulations adhere to international standards, and they are more open to accepting new technologies. “Our technology enables manufacturers to ensure their products are free of harmful chemicals, gives consumers the information they need to make safer choices. We vow to become a global leader and standard-setter in the field of safety testing.”

Dr Chen acknowledges that investors are very interested in Vitargent, with further financing, acquisition and listing opportunities made available. “If we’re not determined to pursue excellence in our technology, we might well consider these propositions, and I would have been retired by now,” Dr Chen says. While Vitargent continues to pursue the goal of becoming a unicorn, it further develops its technology to limit the amount of pollutants during the manufacturing process and fulfills its social responsibility to protect the environment.

The first-in-the-world bio testing technology was entirely CityU-oriented, pioneered by Professor Cheng Shuk Han, Chair Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Dr Chen feels deeply grateful to Professor Cheng for her guidance during her PhD study and post-doc fellow research, and to CityU for the international exposure given. That has enabled her to stay enthusiastic in life sciences, and made great strides in scientific research and entrepreneurship.

She is confident that the HK Tech 300 programme can help CityU students and youth to strength their innovation and entrepreneurship skills, supporting their entrepreneurship journey.

“Entrepreneurship is like crossing a river by feeling the stones. Keep a clear head and always reflect. Work hard to achieve your goal. No matter how many challenges you face, there are always more solutions than problems. You’ll succeed in seeking what you want if you persist long enough,” Dr Chen adds.

(May 2021)

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