The signing ceremony between IHB and Shanghai Hexie Biotechnology Co., Ltd. on Nov. 27, 2025. (Credit: IHB)

On November 27, 2025, the scientific and technological achievement "Rice Field Eel Breeding Technology," developed by the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, successfully signed a contract with Shanghai Hexie Biotechnology Co., Ltd. through agreement pricing and internal evaluation. The total transaction amount reached RMB 3.8 million. 

The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both sides, including HE Lunhui, general manager of Hexie Biotechnology, and researchers from IHB led by feputy Director HU Wei. 

In his remarks, deputy director HU Wei highlighted the scientific and agricultural significance of the technology. “Rice field eel, known for its distinctive biological traits including sequential hermaphroditism, has long presented challenges for controlled breeding and genetic improvement,” said Hu. “This technology represents a foundational advance that can help transform eel farming into a more sustainable and productive industry.” 

HE Lunhui and WANG Jun introduced the progress plan for the industrialized farming project of rice field eels and emphasized that the selection and breeding of high-quality varieties are crucial to the project's success. They stated that the rice field eel breeding technology being transferred would provide a solid technical foundation for the development of the rice field eel seed industry. They expressed hope to establish a long-term and stable cooperative relationship with IHB, jointly promoting the industrialization and application of more rice field eel breeding and farming technologies. 

Witnessed by all attendees, SONG Yanlong, a member of the IHB research and development team, and HE Lunhui, general manager of Hexie Biotechnology, signed the patent licensing contract for "Rice Field Eel Breeding Technology." This signing not only marks the official entry of the technology into market application but also establishes a long-term cooperation mechanism between the two parties. 

In the future, the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as rice field eel breeding, healthy farming, and product processing, jointly injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of China's rice field eel farming industry.