Research drive to put firm ahead of others

Ling Peixue likes to be called more of a scholar and less of an entrepreneur. In addition to being the general manager of Lushang Group, the 51-year-old Ling is also deputy director of the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Committee affiliated to the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, professor and doctoral adviser at Shandong University, as well as a member of the editorial board of Chinese Pharmaceutical Magazine.

He is also supervising seven PhD candidates.

In 1986, Ling did his master's thesis on sodium hyaluronate, a natural substance present in the body wherever moisture is stored.