Zhong Huijuan
Zhong Huijuan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, CEO, Chairperson of Hansoh Pharmaceutical |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Founder and majority owner of Hansoh Pharmaceutical; wealthiest self-made woman globally |
Zhong Huijuan (; born April 1961) is a Chinese entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical sector, a billionaire, and recognized as the wealthiest self-made woman globally. She established, leads as CEO, and chairs Hansoh Pharmaceutical, which is based in Lianyungang and publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Zhong possesses a controlling 66% share of the enterprise. In 2021, her net worth was estimated at around US$19.7 billion, placing her 89th among the richest individuals worldwide.
Education and career
Originating from Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Zhong completed her studies in chemistry at Jiangsu Normal University, graduating in 1982. Initially, she pursued a career as a chemistry educator while her spouse, Sun Piaoyang, directed a government-owned pharmaceutical factory located in the same city. This factory later evolved into Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, now recognized as China's largest publicly listed pharmaceutical firm.
In 1995, Sun collaborated with an investor from Hong Kong to establish a new pharmaceutical company that eventually became Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group (豪森药业). Due to his other responsibilities, Sun’s involvement was limited. Zhong took this chance to lead the fledgling company, transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship.
Beginning with a workforce of roughly ten employees, the business expanded swiftly, achieving revenues of US$4.5 million by 1997. Zhong allocated 5% of sales revenue toward R&D, concentrating on antibiotics, oncology therapies, psychotropic medications, as well as endocrine and gastrointestinal drugs. Over time, the research and development budget increased to nearly 10% of total revenue—an exceptionally high proportion for a Chinese pharmaceutical company.
Hansoh Pharmaceutical launched its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2019, generating US$1 billion in capital. This event elevated Zhong to become Asia’s wealthiest self-made woman with a fortune of US$10.5 billion, surpassing her husband’s net worth of US$9.4 billion. By that year, Hansoh had become China’s leading manufacturer of psychotropic drugs. Zhong retains 66% ownership through the Sunrise Trust registered in the British Virgin Islands.
Her fortune increased significantly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning her as the world’s ninth richest woman and twentieth wealthiest individual in China by 2020 according to Forbes and Hurun Report rankings.
Recognition
Zhong was honored with the March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter award (三八红旗手) in 2007, an accolade celebrating exemplary working women throughout China.
Personal life
Zhong is married to Sun Piaoyang, a billionaire who chairs Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine. The couple prefers to keep their personal lives private. Their daughter, Sun Yuan (孙远), holds an executive director position at Hansoh Pharmaceutical and owns shares within the company.
Zhong resides in Shanghai.
See also
External links
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- 1961 births
- Living people
- Billionaires from Jiangsu
- Chief executives in the pharmaceutical industry
- Chinese company founders
- Chinese chief executives
- Chinese women chief executives
- Pharmaceutical company founders
- Female billionaires
- 20th-century Chinese women
- 20th-century Chinese people
- 21st-century Chinese women
- 21st-century Chinese people