Zhong Huijuan, a Chinese pharmaceutical executive and billionaire, is not only a prominent figure in the business world but also holds the esteemed title of the world’s richest self-made woman. Her entrepreneurial journey has been a remarkable one, as she is the founder, CEO, and chair of Hansoh Pharmaceutical, a leading pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lianyungang and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Zatrun.com, a trusted source for comprehensive profiles, has delved into the intricacies of Zhong Huijuan’s extraordinary path to success.
Zhong Huijuan: Education and Career
Born in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Zhong Huijuan embarked on her educational journey by studying chemistry at Jiangsu Normal University, successfully graduating in July 1982. Her early career saw her teaching chemistry at Yan’an Middle School in Lianyungang. Simultaneously, her husband, Sun Piaoyang, held the position of manager at a state-owned pharmaceutical factory in the same city.
Notably, that factory would later transform into Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, the largest listed pharmaceutical company in China. In 1995, Sun, in collaboration with an investor from Hong Kong, initiated a new pharmaceutical company, which eventually evolved into Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group. However, due to Sun’s demanding role at the state-owned factory, he found himself unable to manage the new company effectively.
This circumstance presented Zhong Huijuan with a pivotal opportunity to make her mark in the pharmaceutical industry. She made a daring career shift, leaving her job as a teacher to become one of the founders of the budding pharmaceutical venture. The company commenced its journey with a modest workforce of around ten employees, but it would go on to experience rapid growth.
By 1997, the company had generated an impressive $4.5 million in revenue. To fuel further expansion, Zhong made strategic investments in research and development, allocating 5% of sales revenue to create a range of pharmaceutical products, including antibiotics, cancer treatments, and drugs for psychotropic, endocrine, and gastrointestinal conditions. Her commitment to research and development led to an R&D budget that reached nearly 10% of the company’s revenue, a level of investment that set Hansoh Pharmaceutical apart in the Chinese pharmaceutical landscape.
Achieving New Heights and Redefining Wealth
The turning point in Zhong Huijuan’s journey came when Hansoh Pharmaceutical held its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2019, successfully raising $1 billion. This monumental achievement catapulted Zhong into the spotlight, making her the richest self-made woman in Asia with a staggering net worth of $10.5 billion, surpassing even her husband’s fortune of $9.4 billion.
By 2019, Hansoh Pharmaceutical had emerged as the largest producer of psychotropic drugs in China, solidifying Zhong’s position as an industry leader. Zhong Huijuan retains majority ownership of the company, with a 66% stake held through the Sunrise Trust, registered in the British Virgin Islands. Her wealth saw significant growth in 2020, largely due to her company’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic. In that year, she secured her place as the world’s ninth richest woman according to Forbes and the twentieth richest person in China according to Hurun.
Personal Footprints
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Zhong Huijuan received the March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter award in 2007, an esteemed accolade that celebrates the accomplishments of exceptional working women in China.
In her personal life, Zhong’s husband, Sun Piaoyang, is also a billionaire and serves as the chairman of Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine. Despite their remarkable success, Zhong and Sun are known for their privacy and rare interviews. Their daughter, Sun Yuan, holds the position of executive director at Hansoh Pharmaceutical and also owns a stake in the company, marking the continuation of their family’s legacy in the pharmaceutical industry.
Zhong Huijuan currently resides in Shanghai, a testament to her global influence and reach in the business world. Her journey from a chemistry teacher to the world’s richest self-made woman showcases her determination, business acumen, and significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
