30 Under 30 – From Labs to Unicorns: Biotech Founders Under 30 Changing Healthcare
How Guo Chen, a 28-year-old scientist-turned-entrepreneur, is pioneering gene therapy solutions for rare diseases in China.
📝 By Sophia Wang | Health & Science Correspondent
From University Lab to Startup Ambition
Guo Chen (28) grew up in Chongqing, a city perched on the Yangtze River, where his parents worked as doctors in a small local hospital. Watching them struggle with limited equipment to treat patients sparked his desire to blend science and impact.
After earning a PhD in molecular biology from Peking University, Guo faced a choice: remain in academia or take the riskier path of entrepreneurship. Inspired by China’s national push for “科技强国 (building a strong nation through science & technology)”, he founded GenNova Biotech, a startup dedicated to affordable gene therapy for rare childhood diseases.
Tackling Rare Diseases with Gene Editing
Guo’s company focuses on developing low-cost CRISPR-based therapies for conditions that have long been neglected by mainstream pharmaceutical firms. His flagship project, a therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), has reached pre-clinical trials with promising results.
Instead of targeting wealthy urban markets, Guo designed his therapies with China’s rural hospitals in mind — making treatments that are scalable and can be distributed beyond tier-one cities. “Innovation must reach patients in Guizhou and Gansu, not just Shanghai,” he insists.
A New Generation of Biotech Entrepreneurs
Guo belongs to a wave of Chinese youth who are turning science into startups, a trend supported by government incubators and venture capital. He rejects the idea that biotech should only chase billion-dollar valuations. “For me,” he says, “success is measured in lives saved, not market cap.”
This vision aligns with China’s Healthy China 2030 strategy, which prioritizes early intervention and biotech innovation.
Recognition and Investment
In 2023, Guo was named to Forbes China 30 Under 30 – Healthcare. His startup has secured funding from both Chinese and international investors, who see GenNova as a potential biotech unicorn.
But Guo is careful to balance growth with ethics. He often cites 孙思邈 (Sun Simiao), the Tang Dynasty physician known as China’s “King of Medicine,” who said: “大医精诚 (a great doctor must be sincere and compassionate).”
Challenges Ahead
Biotech is notoriously risky. Clinical trials are expensive, regulations are strict, and failures are common. Guo admits the road ahead will not be easy, but he believes perseverance is part of the scientific spirit. “China’s rise in biotech won’t happen overnight,” he says. “But our generation must lay the foundation.”
A Mission Beyond Borders
Looking forward, Guo Chen hopes to expand GenNova’s therapies to Belt and Road partner countries, bringing affordable biotech to regions facing similar healthcare challenges.
For him, this isn’t just business—it’s legacy. “Our ancestors healed with herbs, we heal with genes,” he reflects. “But the goal is the same: to give life and dignity back to the people.”
