December 2025 Edition · December 2025
E-CACS December 2025 Newsletter
Inaugural issue of the relaunched member-contributed newsletter, featuring a 2025 China–US biopharma licensing perspective, industry roundups across personal care, packaging, industrial biotech, and flavor & fragrance, an in-depth look at neuropathic pain in cancer, 2025 President Dr. Dujuan Lu’s year-in-review, and member and youth spotlights on Yijun Lu and David Chen.
Editor's Note
As chemistry-trained professionals working across many industries, E-CACS members bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences. This newsletter is being created as a shared space to highlight what our members are reading, thinking about, and working on — making it easy to explore developments beyond our own fields, spark new ideas, and discover new opportunities.
The newsletter is organized into three sections: What's New in Chemistry, featuring curated industry and academic highlights selected or summarized by our members; What's New in E-CACS, sharing updates about our society, our members, and our next generation of scientists; and Sponsor Highlight, recognizing the organizations whose support helps make our community activities possible.
As we enter 2026, the 45th anniversary year of the Chinese American Chemical Society, we hope this newsletter becomes a small but meaningful way to stay connected and learn from one another. We warmly welcome contributors from across the E-CACS community and look forward to growing this platform together.
— The E-CACS Newsletter Team
Industry News
Pharma
Contributors: Jiatong Liu, Ran He, THC Lawyers
China–US biopharma licensing in 2025: an in-depth industry perspective
This in-depth contributed report analyzes the surge in China–US biopharma licensing activity in 2025, highlighting a structural shift in global innovation dynamics. The report examines deal structures, therapeutic focus areas, and the growing role of AI-enabled discovery, offering insights into emerging opportunities and risks for global pharma companies. Read more →
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Contributor: Guangru Mao
Kimberly-Clark to acquire Kenvue (Neutrogena, Aveeno)
Kimberly-Clark announced a US$48.7B acquisition of Kenvue, significantly expanding its skincare and personal-care portfolio. The deal is expected to strengthen Kimberly-Clark's global reach and accelerate innovation in mass-market skincare. Read more →
Core Biogenesis wins L'Oréal Beauty Tech Challenge
Core Biogenesis was recognized by L'Oréal for its plant-based growth-factor protein platform, delivering high-efficacy actives with a lower environmental footprint. The award reflects rising momentum for biotech-driven sustainable skincare solutions. Read more →
SCC Annual Scientific Meeting highlights industry–academia exchange
The SCC Annual Meeting in New York brought together formulators, suppliers, and researchers to share advances in cosmetic science. The Chinese American Cosmetic Professional Association (CACPA) was one of eight sponsors and hosted a technical session showcasing Chinese biotechnological approaches to skincare. Read more →
Packaging
Contributor: Mingxiao Li
TOPPAN acquires Sonoco's thermoformed & flexible packaging business
TOPPAN completed the approximately US$1.8B acquisition of Sonoco's thermoformed and flexible packaging business, strengthening its global position in food, medical, and consumer packaging. Sonoco plans to use the proceeds to reduce debt and refocus on core segments. Read more →
BPI launches home compostable certification program
The Biodegradable Products Institute introduced a Home Compostable Certification, expanding beyond its long-standing industrial compostability standards. The initiative aims to reduce consumer confusion and increase food-waste diversion through backyard composting. Read more →
C&EN Business Watch: capacity adjustments and sustainability-driven innovation
Recent reporting from Chemical & Engineering News highlights continued capacity rationalization in the polymer sector, as producers adjust operations in response to softer demand and cost pressures. At the same time, companies are accelerating innovation in recyclable, bio-based, and lower-carbon polymers, reflecting sustained regulatory and customer-driven sustainability priorities. Read more →
Industrial Biotechnology and Biomaterials
Contributor: Yanpeng Hou
IFF unveils DEB platform for sustainable materials
IFF's Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials™ (DEB) technology delivers nature-inspired, biodegradable polysaccharides at industrial scale. Already powering a major laundry-detergent launch, DEB enhances softness and cleaning while replacing persistent synthetic ingredients with renewable, bio-based alternatives. Backed by IFF's Health & Biosciences unit and scaling through Alpha Bio, a dedicated manufacturing asset is set for 2027. Future applications will span home care, health, beauty, and packaging — redefining sustainable materials for the 21st century. Read more →
IFF and BASF unite for sustainable innovation
IFF and BASF have joined forces to advance enzyme-based biomaterials that boost product performance and cut environmental impact. This partnership accelerates sustainable solutions across cleaning and personal care industries while supporting broader ecological and safety initiatives. Read more →
Flavor & Fragrance
Contributor: Yanpeng Hou
Global flavor & fragrance market shows steady growth
The global flavor and fragrance market, valued at $27.19B in 2024, is projected to reach $33.83B by 2032 (CAGR 3.2%). Growth is fueled by rising demand for natural and organic ingredients, expansion of processed foods, and innovation in personal-care products. Key drivers include sustainability, biotechnology advances like precision fermentation, and premiumization trends offering 20–30% price premiums. Challenges persist with regulatory compliance, supply-chain volatility, and talent shortages in perfumery. Asia-Pacific leads growth at 5.1% CAGR, while Europe and North America focus on organic and premium formulations. Strategic recommendations emphasize investing in biotech, expanding R&D for clean-label products, and forming regional alliances to mitigate risks and meet evolving consumer preferences. Read more →
Academic & Translational Research Highlights
Contributor: Xiaozhou Feng
Neuropathic pain in cancer: emerging therapeutic opportunities
In this in-depth contribution, Xiaozhou Feng examines neuropathic pain as a critical yet under-addressed challenge in cancer care, linking tumor biology, immune signaling, and therapeutic resistance. The article highlights advances in biomarker-guided therapies, neuroinflammation targets, and regenerative strategies that open new opportunities for translational research and industry collaboration. Read more →
2025 E-CACS Event Summary from 2025 President Dr. Dujuan Lu
Dear E-CACS Members,
As we get close to the end of the year, I am honored and grateful to have served as the President of E-CACS in 2025. Throughout the year, we had exciting events that provided opportunities for us to network, share knowledge, and celebrate our achievements. None of the achievements would be possible without the tremendous efforts from our executive committee (EC) members, volunteers, sponsors, members, and supporters.
We kicked off the year with our annual Chinese New Year party in South Plainfield, NJ on February 8th, 2025, co-organized by ACS Philly. We had over 120 attendees with great dinner, performance, and ceremonies of volunteer awards and young scientist awards. Even on a very snowy day, people's enthusiasm did not wane.
On March 1st, 2025, we had our 2nd annual Executive Forum in Princeton, NJ, co-organized by Asian American Entrepreneur Association (AAEA) and sponsored by Fox Rothschild. It was an exclusive, invitation-only forum focusing on FDA regulations, technology transfer & licensing, and investment. It attracted almost 90 executives and entrepreneurs to share the latest regulatory and business news in the industry and foster business collaborations.
Our Annual Scientific Symposium was held at Rutgers University on June 7th, 2025. This year's theme, "Embracing a Changing Landscape: AI, Supply Chains, and Regulatory Shifts in Chemistry and Medicine," emphasized the crucial role that chemistry and medicine play in improving our quality of life — from the development of life-saving drugs and therapies to the emerging topics of artificial intelligence and supply-chain challenges. The symposium was a resounding success, bringing together over 200 enthusiastic attendees, including 25 distinguished panelists who shared their insights.
The morning session featured expert panels in artificial intelligence, supply-chain challenges to cope with the new tariff policy, and the evolving regulatory landscape of chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (partnered with NJ-ACS).
The afternoon Career Development Panel Discussion featured 10 distinguished panelists who shared their personal stories, insights, and opinions. The panelists answered audience questions, providing guidance and mentorship. Their collective expertise enriched the symposium by addressing the various career paths and opportunities within the chemical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors.
In a showcase of academic excellence, the symposium featured numerous engaging posters presented by esteemed academic professors, students, and industry researchers. Vibrant discussions during the coffee-break sessions allowed the audience to delve into the intricacies of their work.
The support of 16 sponsors and partners greatly enriched the event, with 10 vendors participating in the engaging vendor show. The vendor show provided a great opportunity for all attendees to network, find new vendors, and foster collaboration. All the generous funding from our sponsors was crucial to our success in hosting successful events this year.
On August 2nd, 2025, we hosted a spectacular Summer BBQ Picnic, coupled with a captivating Youth Science Fair, co-organized by AAEA. This event, held at Donaldson Park, NJ on a perfect summer day, was a resounding success, bringing together E-CACS members, friends, and families for a day filled with food, science, and fun.
Running parallel to the BBQ, the Youth Science Fair showcased the brilliance of our young talents through several well-prepared demonstrations of scientific experiments, where they eloquently explained complex scientific concepts with impressive clarity and confidence. The Summer BBQ Picnic and Youth Science Fair exemplified the essence of the E-CACS community — a blend of scientific curiosity, culinary delight, and meaningful connections.
We have an exciting lineup of events planned in 2026 that will provide more opportunities for us to network, share knowledge, and celebrate our achievements. Our success as an organization relies on the contributions of our members, and we encourage every one of you to get involved, share your expertise, and take advantage of the many opportunities that E-CACS offers.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working with all of you in the coming year. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for the New Year!
Sincerely,
— Dujuan Lu 2025 President, East Chapter of the Chinese American Chemical Society (E-CACS) December 2025
Member Highlight — Yijun Lu
Director of R&D, Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Contributor: Chongsong Xu
Yijun Lu leads analytical characterization at ETHICON, supporting medical devices, biologics, and combination products. A long-time supporter of E-CACS, she values the lasting professional connections built through the society and encourages members to actively engage and learn from one another's expertise. Read more →
Youth & Community Spotlight — David Chen
Contributor: David Chen
Leading TORUS to reduce food waste in West Windsor
David Chen, a student leader and co-founder of TORUS, launched the community-based food-waste collection initiative to address local food-waste challenges. Through partnerships with households and businesses, TORUS diverts organic waste from landfills to composting and biogas facilities, demonstrating the impact of youth-led science and sustainability efforts. Read more →
Sponsor Highlight
Contributor: Kevin Wang
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors, whose contributions help make E-CACS programs, events, and community initiatives possible.
