"Her Strength" | Anhan Technology CF0 Luo Weiping: The female CFO who doesn't set limits for herself is pushing capsule endoscopy into the thousand-yuan era

She was once an executive at a foreign company and a senior financial officer at an investment firm. Now, approaching retirement age, she has chosen to “re-enter the field” by joining a healthcare technology unicorn company as CFO. Luo Weiping’s career path seems rational and meticulous, but what drives her forward is a deep reverence for life and a heartfelt concern for her family.

“I have a sensitive stomach myself. After personally experiencing Anhan’s products, I was truly touched,” Luo Weiping said with emotion when talking about her initial motivation to join Anhan Technology. This company, focused on digestive health, has its core product, the “Magnetic-Controlled Capsule Endoscopy System,” which offers a painless, non-invasive alternative for patients who delay examinations due to fear of traditional endoscopy.

At that moment, I realized this was more than just technology; it represents hope for countless families," Luo Weiping said. She hopes to go from being a “beneficiary” of a product to a “promoter,” encouraging more people to get checked and to do so confidently, so that more stomach cancers can be caught early.

Her story is about a woman continuously breaking through ceilings and redefining herself. As she puts it, “Age and gender are not issues; the most important thing is not to set limits on yourself.”

Selected excerpts from her conversations:

Joining Anhan: From “Beneficiary” to “Promoter”

Q: Anhan is your first experience in a healthcare technology company. What prompted you to join?

Luo Weiping: Actually, I was previously an employee of a shareholder company of Anhan. The board wanted a more experienced financial professional to help elevate the company further, so I had this opportunity. But what truly moved me was experiencing the product firsthand.

I have always had stomach issues and a natural fear of traditional endoscopy. But after learning about Anhan’s capsule endoscopy product, I found that the entire process was discomfort-free—painless, non-invasive, and no anesthesia needed. Plus, the price gap with traditional endoscopy is narrowing. Through continuous cost optimization, the initial cost of 4,000-5,000 RMB per procedure in some regions has now dropped below 2,000 RMB.

China is a major country for stomach cancer, with nearly half of new cases worldwide occurring here. Yet, early diagnosis rate is less than 20%, while the cure rate for early-stage stomach cancer can exceed 90%. Behind this gap are countless patients delaying diagnosis due to fear of traditional endoscopy. If we can promote this technology widely, encouraging more people to get checked and do so early, it would be incredibly meaningful.

My grandfather died of esophageal cancer, and my father passed away from liver cancer—all within less than a year from diagnosis. Family history makes me especially attentive to early cancer screening. I want to go from being a “beneficiary” of this product to a “promoter,” helping realize this vision sooner.

Career choices: Every turn is about “upgrading”

Q: You started your career in the early 1990s, moving from state-owned enterprises to foreign companies, and then to accounting firms. What considerations guided these choices?

Luo Weiping: I graduated into a state-owned enterprise, which was the coveted “iron rice bowl.” But a stable life felt restrictive to my young self—I wanted to explore outside. Later, I moved to a foreign company, which offered good pay, but the work was simple and the ceiling was quickly reached.

Looking back, the fastest growth came during the two-plus years at an accounting firm. I gave up the high salary of a foreign enterprise to join with only a third of the income. I entered during the busiest period for annual report audits, from early January to April, almost traveling and working overtime every day, but the experience was invaluable. Working with companies of different industries and sizes allowed me to rapidly accumulate professional expertise. That period is one of the most memorable and critical in my career.

Later, I joined an investment firm and spent 16 years there. From a capital perspective, analyzing companies is very different from actively managing real industry operations. When Anhan invited me, I saw it as an “advancement”—using my accumulated experience to truly help companies grow.

Workplace insights: Skills and attitude can break ceilings

Q: Have you ever encountered a “ceiling” in your career?

Luo Weiping: Finance tends to be more suitable for women, so reaching middle management wasn’t difficult. But moving into senior leadership, I did hit a ceiling.

When I left the foreign company for the accounting firm, it was partly for this reason: I needed broader horizons and stronger capabilities to reach higher management levels. Looking back, I believe the key to overcoming biases and ceilings is twofold: ability and attitude. Your professional skills and work results will ultimately earn recognition. When you are sufficiently excellent, gender ceases to be an issue.

Q: In pursuing your career, how has family support played a role?

Luo Weiping: My husband is very open-minded and has never restricted my choices. When I gave up a high salary to work at the firm, earning only a third of my previous income, he initially didn’t understand, but I convinced him. Later, when I worked in Wuhan, spending three weeks here and one week in Beijing each month, he continued to support me. I am very grateful to him.

Of course, I think I can keep going because I love what I do and give it my all.

Financial challenges: Managing funds in high-tech companies is a lifeline

Q: As CFO, how do you view the financial characteristics of healthcare tech companies?

Luo Weiping: The biggest feature of high-tech healthcare companies is large R&D investment, long cycles, and strict regulation. A new product from project approval to commercialization often takes three or more years. The core of financial management is to do comprehensive budget planning and fund allocation throughout the entire cycle, ensuring continuous R&D and financial security. Capital is the lifeline of the enterprise.

Additionally, Anhan holds over 600 global patents, more than half of which are invention patents. We need to establish a dynamic patent ledger, facilitate cross-department collaboration, and ensure clear ownership and cost optimization. Managing and valuing these intangible assets is crucial for the company’s financing and valuation.

Advice for young women: Don’t underestimate yourself—be confident

Q: What advice would you give to young women professionals?

Luo Weiping: First, age and gender are not issues. The most important thing is not to limit yourself. There are gender differences in the workplace, but they are not necessarily disadvantages. Women’s patience, attention to detail, teamwork, and empathy are actually valuable assets in today’s era.

As long as you are determined, confident, and hardworking, your achievements will be recognized. Like the theme of this event, “A Little Light Becomes a Torch,” you can be that unquenchable light in your role. The light may not be strong, but when many women gather, they can illuminate entire industries and companies.

Finally, never underestimate yourself. Believe you can do it. Pursue what you love and give it your all.

Yang Yan / Text

Xu Nan, Lin Chen / Editors