Tekho Marine Biotech

What Tekho Marine Biotech does

Tekho Marine Biotech Co., Ltd. (德河海洋生技股份有限公司) is a Taiwan-based, vertically integrated aquaculture and biotechnology company headquartered in Tainan. The company operates three core business divisions: a grouper aquaculture business producing dragon tiger, giant, tiger, leopard coral, and green grouper across 20 hectares of self-operated farms and a 150-hectare satellite farm network of approximately 76 contracted producers; a biotechnology division built around TPF (Totipotent Prostembryona Factor), a patented active ingredient extracted from deep-sea fish embryonic stem cells via proprietary low-temperature processes and ultra-low temperature vacuum freeze-drying; and a consumer skincare brand, Bioyona, which sells TPF-based serums, ampoules, creams, and masks. Aquaculture products are sold through enterprise sales to five-star hotels and restaurants (Regent Taipei cited as a flagship customer) and exported to China, Hong Kong, and Japan, where Tekho is the only Taiwanese company certified to ship live grouper.

The TPF ingredient platform is the company's primary technology differentiator. TPF-EX05 (cosmetic), TPF-101 (functional food), and TPF-88 (scalp care/hair growth) are sold as B2B raw materials to international cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers under multi-year supply contracts, while finished consumer products are sold direct-to-consumer via the Bioyona e-commerce storefront with global shipping and through international beauty retailers, spas, and aesthetic clinics. The company holds patent protection in Taiwan, the United States, and Japan for wound healing applications and has obtained INCI registration for TPF both internationally (No.33531) and in Japan (No.21098). Tekho was founded in 1965 as a pharmaceutical trading company, entered aquaculture in 2005, was re-established as Tekho Marine Biotech Co., Ltd. in 2008, and became Taiwan's first listed aquaculture company in May 2015 (stock code 8465 on the 興櫃 emerging stock market).

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: aquaculture product sales (fresh, frozen, and processed grouper, with a 70% China/Hong Kong export mix and 30% domestic), B2B biotech ingredient supply and licensing, Bioyona DTC skincare and functional food sales, and a smaller aquarium accessories and publications business holding approximately 60% of Taiwan's aquarium medication market. Pricing ranges from unit pricing on grouper (NT$200-400 per jin, gift boxes at NT$999-7,999) to premium unit pricing on Bioyona skincare and transaction-based B2B ingredient supply contracts. Founder Wu Chih-Mou serves as Chairman and CEO, and the company has accumulated HACCP, TGAP, SGS, INCI, and aquaculture insurance certifications, plus international recognition including Monde Selection Gold (2020), SNQ certification (2022), and Cosmopack Asia Innovation Technology Award (2024).

Name

Tekho Marine Biotech

Legal name

德河海洋生技股份有限公司

Website

https://tekho.com.tw

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tekho Marine Biotech is a Taiwan-listed aquaculture and biotechnology company that farms and exports premium grouper fish and produces TPF, a patented deep-sea fish embryonic stem cell extract sold as a cosmetic, functional food, and scalp care ingredient, plus Bioyona branded skincare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Aquaculture and Biotechnology

NAICS

Aquaculture (1125), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Value-Added Seafood Packaging (MAP/Vacuum, Portion Packs, Private Label) (AFANADAM)

Keywords

• Marine aquaculture products
• Grouper fish farming
• Biotech cosmetic ingredients
• Fish embryonic stem cell extract
• Premium skincare serums

Headquarters

HQ city

Tainan

HQ country

Taiwan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Aquaculture Products Sales: Sale of high-value grouper fish species including dragon tiger grouper, giant grouper, tiger grouper, leopard coral grouper, and green grouper. Products sold fresh, frozen, or as processed fillets. Primary markets include China, Hong Kong, Japan, and domestic five-star hotels and restaurants.
2. Biotechnology Ingredients: Sale of proprietary TPF (Totipotent Prostembryona Factor) ingredients to cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and functional food manufacturers. Revenue from ingredient supply contracts and licensing fees.
3. Bioyona Skincare Brand: Direct sales of proprietary skincare products under the Bioyona brand, including serums, ampoules, creams, facial masks, and scalp care products containing TPF as the core active ingredient.
4. Aquarium Products and Publications: Import and distribution of aquarium accessories, medications, water treatment products, and publication of aquarium-related magazines and books in Chinese-speaking markets.
5. Functional Food Products: Sale of dietary supplements including Royal Roe Peptide Capsules and TPF-101 ingredients for health food applications, targeting anti-aging and wellness consumers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tekho Marine Biotech operates a vertically integrated aquaculture and biotechnology business. Its primary offerings include premium grouper fish sold fresh and frozen to hotels, restaurants, and export markets, alongside proprietary TPF (Totipotent Prostembryona Factor) biotech ingredients extracted from deep-sea fish embryonic stem cells. The company supplies TPF as a raw ingredient to cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and functional food manufacturers, and sells finished consumer products directly under its Bioyona skincare brand.

Product overview

Tekho Marine Biotech operates three main business divisions: (1) Biotechnology Division focused on their patented TPF (Totipotent Prostembryona Factor) ingredient extracted from deep-sea fish embryonic stem cells, used in cosmetic ingredients (TPF-EX05), functional food ingredients (TPF-101), and hair care products (TPF-88); (2) Consumer skincare brand Bioyona碧優娜 featuring TPF as the core active ingredient in serums, creams, masks, and ampoules; (3) Aquarium Division (Aquazoo) handling imports and distribution of aquarium accessories and pharmaceuticals; and (4) Fresh Aquatic Products division offering fresh and processed grouper fish under the 鮮活工房 brand including proprietary varieties like 蒼龍斑 and 山虎斑.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bioyona (碧優娜): Original skincare brand featuring TPF胚顏因子® products including lotions, serums, creams, facial masks, and serum ampoules for skin repair and anti-aging
• Biyomena (碧尤媚娜)
• 鮮活工房 (Fresh Tekho)
• TPF-EX05
• TPF-88™
• TPF-101 胚顏精靈素

Products and services

• TPF (Totipotent Prostembryona Factor) Core Ingredient Exclusive patented active ingredient extracted from deep-sea fish embryonic stem cells through proprietary low-temperature extraction processes. Natural complex peptides including exosomes, growth factors, and cytokines. Used as a raw material in cosmetic, medical dressing, and functional food applications.
• TPF-EX05 Cosmetic Ingredient Functional cosmetic raw material derived from fish embryonic stem cells. Proven efficacy for moisturizing, whitening, anti-aging, and wound tissue repair. Winner of 2024 Cosmopack Asia Awards Innovation Technology Award.
• TPF-101 Functional Food Ingredient Functional food raw material containing rich nutrients including sialic acid, EPA, DHA, squalene, and lecithin. Used in dietary supplements for anti-aging and vitality enhancement.
• TPF-88 Scalp Care Ingredient World's only natural complex peptide derived from deep-sea fish embryonic stem cells applied in scalp care and hair health. Enhances VEGF-A expression rate in hair follicles. Covered by Taiwan Invention Patent I808353.
• Bioyona (碧優娜) Skincare Brand Original skincare brand of TPF胚顏因子 featuring lotions, serums, creams, facial masks, and serum ampoules. Provides all-round skin repair with anti-aging, firming, and healing properties. Targets medical aesthetics recovery and premium skincare market.
• Aquazoo Aquarium Accessories and Pharmaceuticals Aquarium fish pharmaceuticals and accessories. Distributor for Aquarium Munster (DE), Zoo Med (US), T-Rex (US), BioTech (TW). Products include feeds, medications, and water treatment agents. Holds approximately 60% market share in Taiwan aquarium medications market.
• Fresh Tekho (鮮活工房) Aquaculture Products Fresh aquatic products including grouper fish varieties (Dragon Tiger Grouper, Giant Grouper, Tiger Grouper, Green Grouper, Leopard Coral Grouper), and processed seafood products. Includes trademarked varieties Canglong Grouper (蒼龍斑) and Shanhu Grouper (山虎斑). Sold fresh, frozen, or as processed fillets to five-star hotels, restaurants, and export markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Promotes skin fibroblast collagen synthesis by 24-126%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• National Pingtung Marine Museum (國立屏東海洋生物博物館)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Collaboration on ultra-low temperature sperm preservation technology for grouper fish breeding. Established sperm bank concept with cryogenic storage facilities to enhance grouper breeding programs and genetics management.
• Cheng Kung National University / National Cheng Kung University (成功大學)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for RFID technology development and implementation in aquaculture traceability systems. University provided technical expertise for wireless tracking systems for live fish production tracking and quality assurance.
• Institute for Information Industry (資策會)moderateTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on digital technology applications for aquaculture industry. Received government subsidies through economic ministry special projects for technology development.
• Microsoft Taiwan (微軟)moderateTechnology or IntegrationTechnical collaboration on technology center development for aquaculture innovation. Supported establishment of RFID tracking infrastructure and digital management systems.
• Yuen Foong Yu Green Energy (台鹽綠能)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for fishery-solar energy symbiosis breeding program. Agreement signed for solar energy integration in aquaculture operations at designated green energy breeding areas.
• Satellite Fish Farmers (衛星漁場)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of approximately 76 satellite fish farms operating under contract. Farms receive improved fish fry and technical guidance from TEKHO, sell back mature fish for processing and distribution. Satellite farms cover approximately 150 hectares supporting TEKHO's production capacity.
• Biyomena (碧尤媚娜) China Distribution PartnersmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitment of distribution agents in China market following import license approval. Brand Biyomena positioned for China market entry with established regulatory approvals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SalMar ASA: Norwegian salmon aquaculture leader and one of the world's largest marine farming operators. Provides a reference for what scaled, vertically integrated, publicly traded marine aquaculture looks like - though focused on salmon and Norway rather than grouper/Asia.
• La Mer (Estée Lauder): Premium marine-derived skincare brand under Estée Lauder built around fermented sea kelp bioactives. Closest mass-market analog to Bioyona's marine-bioactive positioning and a potential B2B acquirer or benchmark for skincare-brand multiples, though at vastly larger scale.
• Uni-President Enterprises Corporation: Taiwan's largest food conglomerate with seafood, aquaculture feed, and downstream consumer product operations. Operates across adjacent value chain segments but as a broad incumbent with much larger scale; not a focused grouper player.
• Shiseido Co., Ltd. Japan's largest cosmetics company and a potential TPF B2B customer (Tekho already holds Japanese INCI registration). Comparable at the biotech-active-ingredient level where Shiseido both sources proprietary actives and competes with the Bioyona brand in the same Japanese skincare market.

Direct peers

• AquaBounty Technologies: US-listed aquaculture biotech company developing genetically engineered salmon. Closest analog in combining aquaculture production with proprietary biotech innovation and a publicly traded growth-stage profile, though focused on salmon rather than grouper.
• Sheng Long Bio-Tech International: Vietnam-listed aquaculture biotech specializing in grouper and marine finfish hatchery technology, feed, and probiotics. Most direct grouper-focused competitor with similar export markets (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan) and breeding program depth.
• Grobest Group: Taiwan-headquartered aquaculture nutrition and grouper/finfish farming specialist across Asia. Operates a comparable vertically integrated model spanning feed, hatchery, and grow-out, and competes with Tekho for premium grouper market share in China and Southeast Asia.

Others

• InnovaSea Systems: Aquaculture technology provider specializing in fish tracking, sensors, and farm management software. Comparable to Tekho's RFID-based traceability (M348289 patent) at a technology-vendor level, though Tekho uses these capabilities internally rather than selling them.
• Cargill Aqua Nutrition: Global aquaculture nutrition division of Cargill supplying feed to shrimp, salmon, and warm-water species. Adjacent ecosystem participant that supplies the broader industry Tekho operates in; not a direct grouper competitor.
• BioMar Group: Global aquaculture feed manufacturer serving salmon, shrimp, and other species. Functions as a potential upstream supplier/partner for Tekho's satellite farm network rather than a direct competitor, but is the leading reference for aquaculture nutrition scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tekho-marine-biotech-co-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tekho Marine Biotech