Four Major Highlights at CACLP: Whole-Blood Chemiluminescence C2100, AI Automation Line, Small Molecules, and the Fatty Liver Duo — Hotgen Biotech Wins Market Opportunities with Innovation Speed

From March 21 to 23, the 23rd China Association of Clinical Laboratory Practice Expo (CACLP) was held at the Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center. During the event, Hotgen Biotech hosted its 2026 Sea-View New Product Launch and Partner Appreciation Dinner under the theme "Facing the Sea, Setting Sail on the Waves," unveiling two innovative products in niche segments — the C2100 whole-blood chemiluminescence detection system and the LAS-H2 mini biochemistry-immunoassay automation line, the only one equipped with a digital-AI agent for report writing, featuring the HOTminds AI research assistant and an integrated C-GALAD liver cancer risk warning model, with immunoassay coverage spanning the full range of liver disease testing items. From the sea-view product launch to the brilliant booth roadshows, Hotgen Biotech presented a unique technological feast, demonstrating to the entire industry its innovation strength in transitioning from "technological innovation" to "value verification." During the exhibition, around innovative products and technologies such as the small-molecule sandwich assay, the Fatty Liver Duo (CK18-M30/M65), the C2100 whole-blood compact chemiluminescence analyzer, and the 14-plex cytokine panel, Hotgen Biotech outlined with hard-core strength a new blueprint for health covering the full cycle of "diagnosis, management, and prevention."

■ Strategic Upgrade: From Technological Innovation to Value Leadership

On March 21, Lin Changqing, Chairman of Hotgen Biotech, attended the "Bright Lab — 9th IVD Young Entrepreneur Forum" and delivered a keynote speech titled "The Metamorphosis of Hotgen Biotech." He reviewed Hotgen's transformation from its origins in liver disease diagnosis, gradually expanding to full-scenario immunoassay diagnostics, small-molecule precision testing, and methylation liquid biopsy, and then to innovative biological drugs, emphasizing: "Facing the dual challenges of industry centralized procurement and homogeneous competition, Hotgen's approach is — to do difficult but right things. Only breakthroughs in underlying technology can build true 'new quality productive forces.'"

■ "Innovative Diagnostics, Value Verification" — 2026 CACLP Innovation Highlights Collection

No. 1: C2100 — A New Era of Whole-Blood Chemiluminescence Testing

At the sea-view launch event on the evening of March 20, the C2100 fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer officially debuted. With core advantages including 12-minute whole-blood rapid testing, automatic cap-opening and mixing, and HCT calibration, the device precisely addresses the demanding requirements of emergency laboratory testing for turnaround time and operational convenience. It supports direct loading of original blood samples, winning golden time for emergency scenarios such as chest pain centers and stroke centers; track-based sample loading enables test-on-arrival; the dual-needle design eliminates the need for pipette tips; the tilting reaction cuvettes are simple to operate; and the ample sample and reagent positions meet round-the-clock testing needs in outpatient and emergency settings.

No. 2: LAS-H2 Mini Biochemistry-Immunoassay Automation Line — The Only One Equipped with a Digital-AI Agent for Report Writing

The LAS-H2 mini biochemistry-immunoassay automation line was unveiled as a major release. Its core advantages: Digital software empowerment with dual drivers of clinical practice and research — equipped with the HOTminds AI research assistant and an integrated C-GALAD liver cancer risk warning model, it not only efficiently supports routine clinical testing but also provides one-stop research assistance, achieving deep integration of routine diagnosis and scientific innovation. Flexible modular design for worry-free adaptation to all scenarios — the minimum configuration occupies only 5 m², saving space to the utmost; the biochemistry and immunoassay modules support linked operation as well as independent startup and shutdown, and a single module can still operate normally if the track fails; it meets the diverse needs of both large hospitals and primary medical institutions. Fully automated hardware configuration for both precision and safety — equipped with a fully automated sample processing unit, AI vision technology intelligently identifies and removes abnormal samples such as hemolyzed, lipemic, and icteric specimens; 360° omnidirectional barcode scanning with no angle limitations; negative-pressure protection prevents aerosol contamination; combined with low-temperature centrifugation and re-warming mixing functions, it comprehensively enhances testing accuracy and laboratory biosafety. High-throughput and efficient operation aligned with national strategic directions — the biochemistry module runs 800 tests per hour and the immunoassay module 600 tests per hour, featuring the exclusive small-molecule dual-antibody sandwich assay and covering full-category items including the Liver Cancer Trio, the Fatty Liver Duo, and liver function and lipid panels, creating a one-stop metabolic health solution for weight loss and lipid reduction, precisely responding to the national weight management and Healthy China strategies, and helping laboratories reduce costs, improve efficiency, and achieve lean operations.

No. 3: Small-Molecule Sandwich Assay — An Epoch-Making Technological Innovation

Small-molecule testing has long been an industry challenge — traditional competitive assays suffer from low sensitivity, poor accuracy, and susceptibility to interference, while mass spectrometry, though precise, is costly and complex to operate, making large-scale adoption difficult. After years of R&D, Hotgen Biotech has developed the small-molecule dual-antibody sandwich assay: higher detection sensitivity and a wider measuring range; dual antibodies specifically lock onto the target, greatly reducing non-specific interference; stronger reagent stability with longer shelf life and high assay consistency; and precision comparable to the mass spectrometry gold standard. The technology now covers multiple testing items including thyroid hormones, sex hormones, and bone metabolism, fully meeting clinical testing needs in chronic disease, endocrinology, and liver health scenarios.

No. 4: Fatty Liver Duo (CK18-M30/M65) — The World's First Chemiluminescence Testing Reagent

As the first chemiluminescence-based dedicated fatty liver testing reagent, CK18-M30/M65 enables non-invasive, precise assessment of the risk of metabolic fatty liver disease progressing to steatohepatitis. Coinciding with the National Health Commission's full rollout of the "weight management clinic" coverage policy, this test has become a core indicator for monitoring liver health in the weight management era.

No. 5: 14-Plex Cytokine Panel — Leading Installed Base, Perfect External Quality Assessment Scores Forging the Industry Gold Standard

As a domestic leader in chemiluminescence-based cytokine testing, Hotgen Biotech recently obtained regulatory approval for its interferon-α (IFN-α) assay, marking the expansion of its cytokine testing panel to 14 markers. Deployed in hundreds of hospitals across China, the panel makes Hotgen one of the industry's most comprehensive providers of immune status assessment.

No. 6: Liweiping® Liver Cancer Early Diagnosis Product — Non-Invasive Early Screening Solving Clinical Pain Points

Leveraging its original multi-gene methylation core technology, the Liweiping® liver cancer early diagnosis product opens a new chapter in the early prevention, early diagnosis, and early intervention of liver cancer: it comprises six gene methylation detection kits and supporting AI intelligent analysis software, both core achievements having received NMPA approval for market launch in 2025. Validated through large-scale multicenter clinical studies, the product demonstrates ultra-high sensitivity across all stages of liver cancer, early-stage liver cancer, and minute liver cancer, and effectively fills the screening gap for high-risk populations who are AFP-negative. Performed on routine qPCR platforms, it genuinely helps raise China's early liver cancer diagnosis rate and implement the requirements of the tiered diagnosis and treatment policy for liver cancer.

■ Conclusion

Facing the sea is a mind-set that embraces change; setting sail on the waves is the courage to lead the tide. In the spring of 2026, Hotgen Biotech conveyed a clear signal to the industry: in the new cycle where in-vitro diagnostics shifts from "scale expansion" to "value creation," Hotgen has built a health ecosystem covering the full cycle of "diagnosis, management, and prevention." Looking ahead, Hotgen Biotech will continue to sail with innovation as its canvas and diagnostics as its oars, journeying together with industry peers across the vast blue sea of safeguarding human health, riding the wind and waves toward a new journey.