Lei Jufang: Tibetan Medicine Competes in Splendor and Fragrance

　　Source of information: Pharmaceutical Economic Report

　　http://web.yyjjb.com:8080/html/2013-08/12/content_197130.htm

　　On June 18, 2013, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, witnessed a significant event in the Tibetan medicine technology community—the inauguration of the “Professor David Christiani from Harvard University—Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Research Laboratory.”

　　In the eyes of Gansu’s science and technology community, this is very likely to become a major opportunity for Tibetan medicine to step onto the international stage. For Qizheng Tibetan Medicine itself, establishing the joint laboratory represents a continuation of its previous strategy in Tibetan medicine research. This model will enable them to re-examine their existing products from a whole new perspective. Behind this initiative, Lei Jufang, Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, has once again played a leading role, as she always has.

　　Another parallel path

　　“The definition of verifiable science isn’t limited to just one path—it has another parallel path that we simply aren’t aware of yet, but it does exist.”

　　The schedule on the day of the listing was incredibly packed—from presiding over the lab’s launch ceremony to attending the related forum—Lei Jufang didn’t have a moment to spare. Yet at that very instant, the excitement and exhilaration in her heart had already far surpassed any physical fatigue she might have felt.

　　In 2012, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine began collaborating with Harvard Professor David Christiani and his team to conduct more than a year of pharmacological and clinical research on the Tibetan medicine Renqing Mangjue capsules, completing part of the basic and clinical studies on its anti-tumor effects and its ability to mitigate the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. The establishment of the laboratory could not be clearer in its intent: to focus on systematic research into this particular medicine and gradually extend its scope to encompass research on other Tibetan medicinal products as well.

　　This is the first Tibetan medicine research laboratory on the Loess Plateau to collaborate with an international team. Interestingly, the lab’s name doesn’t put “Qizheng Tibetan Medicine” at the forefront; viewed purely from the wording, it almost seems as if it’s trying to hitch a ride on Harvard’s reputation.

　　David is an expert in environmental genetics at the Harvard School of Public Health and also a practicing internist. He first became connected with China 32 years ago through an academic exchange between China and the U.S. Two years ago, Lei Jufang, recommended by a friend, made a special visit to David. After their conversation, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that this internationally renowned scholar and advisor not only fully endorsed the efficacy of traditional medicines but also showed great interest in research on Renqing Mangjue capsules for treating poisoning.

　　“We know that many Tibetan medicines have detoxifying effects, so we’ve had discussions with David on this very topic—and he’s quite interested in it as well. Health issues triggered by environmental and occupational factors represent a serious challenge facing the global community today. From a multicultural perspective, he views this endeavor with great openness. Exploring the detoxifying mechanisms of traditional medicine during gastrointestinal treatments and cancer radio- and chemotherapy represents the starting point of our collaboration and a shared area of interest,” said Lei Jufang.

　　After becoming one of the first innovative enterprises in China, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine established a national-level enterprise technology center and now boasts two national-local joint engineering laboratories specializing in Tibetan medicine. Each year, it allocates a fixed 3% to 4% of its sales revenue to scientific research. “In fact, the biggest obstacle facing the development of traditional ethnic medicines lies first in establishing definitive efficacy evidence—specifically, clarifying how traditional medicines correspond to different diseases under various medical systems, as well as resolving the various uncertainties that arise during the treatment process. Only through step-by-step verification can we arrive at clear answers,” says Lei Jufang. She believes that gaining recognition for efficacy is only the first hurdle; next, we must tackle innovations in dosage forms. In the context of the new era, ethnic medicines also need to adjust their formulation processes in a timely manner.

　　The Standard for Change and Constancy

　　“The goal of innovation is not to change for the sake of change, nor should we readily alter things just to cater to current values and standards.”

　　This clinical trial project for Renqing Mangjue capsules is just the first step toward aligning more closely with international drug toxicology research. In Lei Jufang’s view, this will open up a new pathway for expanding the clinical applications of traditional medicines.

　　“Compared to the years—or even decades—of clinical validation required for new drugs, traditional medicines are more reliable in terms of safety. Although these medicines may have been passed down only within a particular region or ethnic group in the past, they’ve nonetheless been used clinically for a long time. Now, by applying today’s internationally advanced standards and methodologies to validate them and gather relevant data, we may open up a whole new avenue for the treatment of chronic diseases and occupational illnesses,” said Lei Jufang confidently when asked about her plans for the future of Tibetan medicine research.

　　She is keenly aware that drug safety has always been the top priority for regulatory agencies. Given how long it takes to develop a new drug, if we can spend three to five years expanding the application of existing drugs in the treatment of serious diseases, we’ll be able to better highlight the value of traditional medicines. At the 5th China “Business Mulan” Annual Conference, Lei Jufang once put forward the view that “the goal of innovation isn’t to bring about change, but rather to contribute to modern public welfare.”

　　“Some people might think that the traditional herbal combinations and medicinal practices of the past were too outdated—formulas containing dozens of ingredients were simply too complex to fully understand their underlying principles. As a result, they’ve suggested taking a different approach and focusing on developing single-ingredient remedies. While this strategy might work for certain companies, in our view, whether it’s a single ingredient or fifty ingredients, what really matters isn’t the number itself. The key is whether this particular combination of herbs can make a meaningful contribution to the treatment of human diseases. If it can, why would we even think about overturning it?” Lei Jufang said. “Don’t let others’ failure to recognize the value of something cause you to doubt—or even alter—their true nature. After all, ‘gold will always shine, sooner or later.’”

　　Between change and constancy, she has always maintained a clear guiding principle in her heart. This not only helps Qizheng Tibetan Medicine clearly define its goals and steadily move closer to them, but also enables Qizheng Tibetan Medicine—and its Tibetan medicinal products—to navigate seamlessly through the ever-evolving pharmaceutical industry.

　　Cross-industry innovator

　　“If I were merely a pharmaceutical student without a background in science and engineering, when tackling problems like the drying, preservation, and anti-corrosion of Chinese medicinal materials, I’d likely be limited to the technical approaches and methods already covered in textbooks.”

　　“Of course, you’ve got to have absolute confidence and not be afraid of all sorts of validation procedures. But even more important is identifying the right combination of validation methods—this requires wisdom. That’s precisely why we’ve specifically hired a world-class team of experts: using their language and methodologies to help validate the medicines we ourselves champion. If these two approaches were mutually exclusive, we wouldn’t have continued this work in the first place. Wouldn’t it be just fine if Tibetan medicine remained known and used only by our vast community of farmers and herders? The real issue is that we want more people to learn about it, to spread this cultural heritage, and to let more people understand the civilization and progress of this region. So no matter what, we must first put in the effort and bear the costs.”

　　Lei Jufang does not endorse the approach of ethnic medicines simply indulging in self-satisfaction and pursuing their own path without regard for others. In an interview, she pointed out that if ethnic medicines are to move beyond their specific regions and ethnic groups and reach a broader audience, they must embrace modern scientific standards and methodologies as the vanguard that will open the door for them to step onto the global stage and tap into larger markets. Once they successfully pass the drug “review” regulations of Western societies, they will gain greater influence and voice. Her emphasis on and appreciation for rigorous scientific evidence stems not only from practical considerations related to the entry of Tibetan medicine into both domestic and international markets. As a researcher with a background in high-energy physics, she is more inclined than most managers to let the data do the talking.

　　In the early days of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’s establishment in 1996, Lei Jufang, who had limited financial resources at the time, was most adept at conducting research on heavy-ion accelerators for ten years at the Lanzhou Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was precisely this science and engineering background that helped the team think creatively and develop their first product—Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Pain-Relieving Plaster—which went on to win the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award in 2001.

　　“The traditional method has been to crush fresh medicinal herbs and apply them directly to the affected area—this approach works exceptionally well. But when we’re dealing with thousands of households and entering the broader market, it’s simply impractical to crush and sell fresh herbs directly to markets and consumers. That’s when we came up with the idea of vacuum freeze-drying technology.” With the assistance of her colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lei Jufang personally built the very first vacuum freeze-drying device. At the time, this technology—which addressed the challenges of drying, preserving, and preventing spoilage in traditional medicinal herbs—was a pioneering innovation.

　　The primary purpose of vacuum technology is to thoroughly remove gases contained within plants, metals, and other materials, thereby ensuring their long-term preservation. In a sense, this aligns with the tradition of preserving Tibetan medicine.

　　Inevitable labor pains

　　“After a company has grown stronger, a crucial issue is its strategy. This strategy doesn't exist merely on paper or in a written document; rather, it lies in whether the company’s management team and all its employees harbor a firm set of principles—and even a deep-seated belief—within their hearts.”

　　It can be said that Lei Jufang’s deep trust in and passionate devotion to Tibetan medicine directly contributed to the formation of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’s corporate culture—“doing good for others and pursuing the right path with integrity.” The company’s original strategic culture has thus been profoundly shaped by Tibetan studies. Today, no matter how busy her work and personal life may be, Lei Jufang always makes time each year to visit Tibet. There, the atmosphere of reverence for Tibetan culture is as pervasive as air itself; anyone immersed in it will naturally be influenced and inspired by it.

　　In 2009, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine established business units covering pharmaceutical marketing, international operations, and Tibetan medicinal herb resources, striving to achieve sustainable development of the Tibetan medicine industry. That same year, the company’s flagship products—including Qizheng Pain-Relieving Plaster, Qingpeng Ointment, and Tiebangchui Pain Relief Ointment—achieved total sales of 467 million yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.2%. The company’s total operating revenue reached 469 million yuan, up 13.5% from the previous year, with net profit amounting to 161 million yuan, an increase of 18.4% over the previous year. For three consecutive years, the company’s performance has maintained positive growth.

　　Product sales have been remarkable, and the company is steadily growing stronger. However, once you’re determined to build a rock-solid business, you’ll need to find ways to overcome the hurdle of hiring professional managers.

　　In early 2010, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine made a high-level personnel reshuffle. After news broke that Lei Jufang was stepping down as general manager, the company’s stock price briefly fell. Looking back now, Lei Jufang still believes that handing over the reins to the new general manager, Liu Kailie, was “the right thing to do,” and both the decision itself and its outcome have been “satisfactory.” Lei Jufang admitted that at the time, since they hadn’t resorted to many manipulative tactics, employee dissatisfaction was particularly pronounced. However, this “storm” also deepened the internal consensus within the team: if they wanted to build a company that would endure and thrive over the long term, they simply had to accelerate the company’s professionalization.

　　“These situations are all perfectly normal. Since we’re embarking on such a plan, we must have the courage to endure the growing pains. I believe that once the pain subsides, more employees will come to see how the company’s traditional values can be seamlessly integrated with a highly professional team—a synergy that holds the key to the future of ethnic pharmaceutical companies like ours.”

　　In fact, Lei Jufang understands better than anyone else that a strong strategy can enable a company to generate more and better ideas than its competitors—ideas that, in turn, depend on the company’s organizational management approach and tools. After all, corporate strategy is not merely a piece of paper; it permeates every level of the company—from the management team to all employees—and must be supported by thorough market research data as well as insightful forecasts of future trends. Therefore, a well-designed talent acquisition and retention system is just as essential as precise market analysis. “I believe strategic issues are particularly crucial for a Chinese national pharmaceutical enterprise that’s steadily growing,” Lei Jufang said. “They determine whether your company can keep moving forward in the future—and how quickly you’ll be able to do so.”

　　In fact, once a fleet is fully established, neither storms nor personnel turnover will be daunting. This is precisely why Lei Jufang insists on shifting from front-stage to behind-the-scenes leadership.

　　Reporter’s Notes

　　Shang Shan Zizai

　　It hasn't even been half a year since my last interview with Engineer Lei. This time, I was fortunate enough to speak with her again for the report on “Searching for the Pharmaceutical Economy Figure of the Year.” Upon careful reflection, I noticed that both interviews shared common elements: “2013,” “Beijing,” and “nighttime.” The difference is that last time, she was interviewed at the hotel where the CPPCC delegates were staying, whereas this time the setting had shifted to the waiting lounge at the Capital Airport.

　　The interview had been scheduled for Monday afternoon, but her assistant told me that Lei’s reception room was constantly occupied by visitors. Reluctantly, we had no choice but to fit it in during the brief interval while we were waiting for our flight. Only when the interview actually began did I finally feel my tension ease. Throughout the nearly hour-long conversation, she maintained a steady and calm pace of speech. As I listened to her carefully outline her ambitious plan to modernize Tibetan medicine, I couldn’t help but wonder whether her composure and poise were innate or cultivated over time.

　　Anyone who has ever spoken with Engineer Lei knows that her conversations mostly revolve around the inheritance of Tibetan medicine and promising avenues for scientific research, giving the impression that she is first and foremost a scientist—and only secondarily an entrepreneur. Once, utopian aspirations ended in failure, leaving her to endure the bitter realities of entrepreneurship. Yet by the time wealth began to flow back toward her, she had already grown accustomed to devoting herself wholeheartedly to various charitable causes in Tibet. In her heart, the profound and timeless culture of Tibet itself holds a calling—a cause worthy of dedicating one’s entire life to repaying.

　　The welcome page of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’s official website now consists of a set of minimalist animations: on an elegant, unadorned canvas, delicate white arcs trace graceful paths, and the four key words—“Wisdom at Ease,” “Heart at Ease,” “Wishes at Ease,” and “Lifespan at Ease”—gradually rise into view. This ingeniously designed layout subtly reflects what the company and its top leadership are passionately striving for: the path toward goodness. (Huang Jingzhi)

　　Personality Color

　　The yellow family never stops.

　　Commentary: Cheng Yan (Psychosomatic Medicine Physician at Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, National Level-2 Psychological Counselor)

　　The modernization of traditional Chinese medicine is a daunting historical task, and Tibetan medicine, in particular, remains shrouded in an aura of profound mystery—much like a brilliant pearl atop Mount Everest, often left to shine in solitude. Yet, it’s encouraging to see that Lei Jufang, with her unrelenting, yellow-hued spirit, is forging ahead on the path toward the modernization of Tibetan medicine.

　　People with the yellow personality color are never content to rest—they’re always on the journey toward their next goal. Yellow is a personality color that’s destined to achieve great things; they relish the joy of moving forward with determination. This “great thing” isn’t merely about a company’s profitability—it’s a profound sense of responsibility: the responsibility to bring Tibetan medicine onto the global stage. It’s precisely for this reason that Lei Jufang employs modern scientific standards and methodologies to objectively evaluate Tibetan medicine, enabling this traditional ethnic medicine to transcend its original regional and ethnic boundaries and reach a much wider audience.

　　From collaborating with Harvard professors on clinical trials of Renqing Mangjue capsules, to establishing a Tibetan medicine research laboratory, and then preparing to embark on research into greater-health products—each step exemplifies the tireless spirit characteristic of the Yellow personality. This very trait is what will enable her to achieve miracles and attain remarkable success. Her bold introduction of a professional management system, even though it initially brought some growing pains, reflects the Yellow personality’s quick decision-making ability and willingness to take risks. Her relentless pursuit of progress and success has made Lei Jufang a trailblazer on the path forward, and under her leadership, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine is destined to become a dazzling gem in the nation’s traditional ethnic pharmaceutical landscape.