CONTENTS:

Zhang Zhiqian, a 29-year-old entrepreneur recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list for Healthcare & Science, is advancing sustainability through synthetic biology with his startup, Tidetron Bioworks. Founded in 2021 and based in Guangzhou, Tidetron has secured nearly $100 million in investment from IDG Capital and Zhen Fund. The company produces and sells over 30 raw materials, including peptides, for the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. At its 2,000-square-meter R&D center, Tidetron modifies microbes to generate various chemical substances. For instance, they enhanced a fungi microorganism essential for soybean fermentation, improving the flavor of soy sauce for a client.

 

Zhang Zhiqian emphasizes that Tidetron Bioworks offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional production methods, which typically involve waste-producing and greenhouse gas-emitting chemical reactions. “By modifying microbes, we can make them produce more beneficial materials, something unattainable with conventional methods,” Zhang explains over the phone.

His interest in microscopic biology developed during his Ph.D. studies in medicine at China’s Sun Yat-sen University. He established a lab outside of school to research microbes for industrial use and created a detailed database of their properties. After pitching his idea to nearly three dozen investors, he secured initial funding from Beijing-based Unity Ventures, followed by investments from IDG Capital and Zhen Fund. Currently, clients from the food industry constitute the company’s largest revenue source.

 

Yang Yuzhe from China is dedicated to applying AI and machine learning technologies to disease monitoring and diagnosis. In a 2022 paper published in *Nature Medicine*, Yang, a Ph.D. candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explored diagnosing Parkinson’s disease by analyzing breathing patterns during sleep. This method could enable earlier detection, as typical Parkinson’s symptoms like slowness and stiffness appear only years later.

Another Chinese researcher, Song Yu, soon to be an assistant professor at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), has developed a skin sensor capable of detecting and monitoring C-reactive protein in sweat. This innovation could potentially reduce the need for multiple blood tests to measure this biomarker, which is commonly associated with inflammation.

 

Haruka Sasaki’s Melatonin and Asthma Research

In Japan, Haruka Sasaki’s pioneering research has revealed that high concentrations of melatonin can worsen asthma symptoms. Her deep interest in the disease was sparked by a life-threatening asthma attack. Sasaki’s significant contributions have earned her several accolades, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Japan Encouragement Award in 2022.

 

Among those featured in this year’s 30 Under 30 Asia: Healthcare & Science list are individuals developing cutting-edge healthcare devices to monitor symptoms and, in some cases, treat diseases.

In Australia, Helena Franco, cofounder of Australis Scientific, is developing a new device to treat urinary incontinence. Currently in clinical trials, the product, called In-Confidence, is a connected patch that attaches above the ankle. It uses electric pulses to stimulate and train the nerves responsible for bladder control.

 

Meanwhile in India, Aryan Chauhan is working on a sensor to aid in diabetes treatment. This device attaches to the skin to monitor blood sugar levels, with results accessible through Zivov’s smartphone app. The app provides users with insights into how their bodies respond to various diets and treatments. Zivov has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from investors such as Reddy Ventures and Titan Capital.

 

Aiming to provide convenient access to treatment, several entrepreneurs on this year’s list have established online platforms connecting patients with healthcare professionals in India. Anmol Arora and Vikram Patel cofounded DocVita, a mental healthcare startup that enables patients to book online consultations with therapists and psychiatrists. Based in Bangalore, DocVita arranges meetings through channels like Google Meet and Zoom or in-person at designated locations.

Also in India, Shobhita Narain cofounded Veera Health to support patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Frustrated by her own challenges in obtaining treatment, she launched Veera Health in 2021. The company’s app connects patients with gynecologists for assessments and consultations, and with nutritionists to develop healthier diets. In 2021, Veera Health raised $3 million in funding from investors including Sequoia India Capital’s Surge and Global Founders Capital.