ChinaBio® Today

J&J Touts its Pharma R&D Efforts for China

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:49:00 -0400

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, a division of Johnson & Johnson, did something this week that big pharmas haven't done very often in the last few years: it bragged about its recent drug discovery success and made predictions about its future progress. The company said it had four new medical entities awaiting approval in China along with four line extensions. It expects to file an additional nine NMEs and six line extensions for approval by 2017. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: JNJ)

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3SBio’s Shareholders Approve Go-Private Transaction

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:13:00 -0400

SBio Inc. will go private. A full 87% of company's shareholders voted in favor of the $16.70 per ADS amended offer. The apparent unanimity is far different that the situation one month ago. At that time, the acquiring group was forced to raise the price of the offer from $15.40 per ADS to $16.70. Some of the company’s major shareholders threatened to vote against the transaction because prospective bidders, who proposed offering up to $20, were pressured out of the process. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SSRX)

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Zensun Announces Positive Data from Phase II Trials of Neucardin

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:14:00 -0400

Zensun Sci & Tech, Ltd., a Shanghai-San Diego biopharma, reported positive results from four Phase II trials of its lead drug candidate, Neucardin™, a treatment for heart failure. Because of the successful tests, Zensun has filed with the CFDA for accelerated approval of the drug. Last week, SciClone announced it has in-licensed the China rights to Neucardin. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SCLN)

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WHO Declares China's H7N9 Flu Crisis Over; Cost was $6.5 Billion

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:42:00 -0400

China’s bird flu crisis has been contained, according to UN officials. Closing the live poultry markets in ten provinces seemed to dampen the outbreak. Because there have been no new cases discovered in the two weeks since May 8, it seems the crisis has passed. However, China suffered $6.5 billion in losses due to the H7N9 virus, mostly in the poultry industry. More details....

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CFDA Approves Clinical Trials for Novel China AIDS Treatment

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:29:00 -0400

A novel treatment for AIDS, developed in the Zhengzhou University labs of Junbiao Chang, PhD, has been approved by the CFDA for human trials. The molecule, which has been in development for ten years, is a reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibito, called Azi Fu (Azvudine). According to Dr. Chang, Azi Fu is more effective at blocking the mutated forms of the virus than currently available treatments. He also believes the molecule has the potential to lower treatment costs. More details....

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Curative Medical of China to Seek CFDA Approval for ALung's Medical Device

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:46:00 -0400

Curative Medical has been contracted by ALung Technologies, a Pittsburgh respiratory medical device maker, to pursue CFDA approval of ALung’s Hemolung Respiratory Assist System. The Hemolung is an external device that operates much like a dialysis machine. It removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen to blood as a patient's blood passes through the device. Curative Medical is China-US medical device company with products for cardiopulmonary diseases and sleep disorders. More details....

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GSK Says Lowering Prices in China Caused Higher Sales

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:02:00 -0400

Want to increase revenues in China? You might try lowering prices. It seems to have worked for GlaxoSmithKline. In 2009, the company reduced the cost of its allergy treatment, Avamys nasal spray. The number of units sold jumped to five times their previous figures, though revenues clearly gained less than that. Overall, GSK’s China revenues were up 20% in 2012, reaching $1.5 billion. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: GSK)

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More Details about Hisun-Pfizer and Merck-Simcere JVs

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

In 2011, the world’s two largest drugmakers – Pfizer and Merck – each announced major China drug JVs with domestic China pharmas – Hisun in Pfizer’s case and Simcere for Merck. The arrangements were high-profile, and their aims went beyond drug distributorship, reaching into drug development. But details have been slow to emerge. A recent article in People’s Daily shed some light on these important JVs, which are now just getting under way. More details....

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: PFE) (NYSE: MRK) (SHA: 600267) (NYSE: SCR)

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Week in Review: RuiYi Signs Up Shanghai’s Genor to Develop mAb in China

Sat, 18 May 2013 06:27:00 -0400

RuiYi Inc., a San Diego-Shanghai biotech, signed an exclusive license with Genor BioPharma of Shanghai to develop RuiYi’s lead molecule in China; RuiYi also enlisted CMC Biologics to develop a cell line for RYI-008; Vectura, a UK maker of inhaled therapies, established a China respiratory JV with two partners: Tianjin KingYork and Zendex Bio Strategy; SciClone Pharma in-licensed China rights to a heart failure drug from Zensun (Shanghai) Science & Technology; WuXi PharmaTech released positive financial results and candidly discussed the performance of its business units; Amgen, which has not had a major presence in China, is now making good on its promise to use partnerships to establish itself; and BioDuro opened a new CRO laboratory in Shanghai, complementing its existing facility in Beijing. More details…..

Stock Symbols: (LSE: VEC) (NSDQ: SCLN) (NYSE: WX) (NSDQ: AMGN)

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SciClone Gains China Rights to Zensun’s Heart Failure Drug

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:08:00 -0400

SciClone Pharma in-licensed China rights to a heart failure drug from Zensun (Shanghai) Science & Technology Co. SciClone, which is headquartered in the US, usually markets western drugs in China. This time, the company has acquired a China-developed drug for China. The deal gives SciClone exclusive rights to market Neucardin™, a novel treatment for chronic heart failure, in China, Hong Kong and Macau. Zensun filed for approval of Neucardin with the CFDA last year. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SCLN)

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RuiYi and Genor Enter License and Collaboration for Novel mAb

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:46:00 -0400

RuiYi Inc., a San Diego-Shanghai biotech startup, has signed an exclusive license and collaboration with Genor BioPharma to develop RuiYi’s lead molecule in China. The drug candidate, RYI-008, is a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody with potential to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. Earlier this week, RuiYi announced that CMC Biologics would develop a cell line for RYI-008. More details....

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BioDuro Opens Second China CRO Lab, This One in Shanghai

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:32:00 -0400

BioDuro has opened a new laboratory in Shanghai, complementing its existing facility in Beijing. BioDuro is a China pre-clinical CRO, established in 2005, that serves an international and domestic clientele. It was bought by PPD® in 2009 for $77 million. BioDuro said the new facility would allow the company to offer drug discovery services with greater efficiency and consistency through the stages of development. More details....

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Amgen-Zhejiang Beta China JV to Include R&D, Manufacturing

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:31:00 -0400

Last week, Amgen and Zhejiang Beta Pharma announced they would form a JV to bring Amgen’s biologic drugs to China, starting with Amgen’s colon cancer drug Vectibix. Now, an Amgen spokesperson told China Daily the JV will include a China-based R&D operation, along with manufacturing. Amgen has not been a big player in the PRC’s drug market, but details of the JV, as they emerge, show the company is making a serious commitment to China. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: AMGN)

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WuXi PharmaTech Reports Higher Q1; Analyzes Prospects for its Business

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:34:00 -0400

WuXi PharmaTech released positive financial results for the first quarter of 2013, as revenues increased 11.7% to $132 million. All sectors of the company’s CRO/CMO business contributed to the climb. In remarks to analysts, Ge Li, the company's Chairman and CEO, conducted an interesting discussion of WuXi’s various business units, shedding light on each one’s performance and potential for growth in the next few years. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: WX)

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RuiYi Selects CMC Biologics to Develop Cell Line for mAb

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:12:00 -0400

RuiYi Inc., a San Diego-Shanghai pre-clinical stage pharma, has enlisted CMC Biologics to develop a cell line for RYI-008, a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody. CMC Biologics, which is located in Seattle and Copenhagen, will use its proprietary CHEF1® high-productivity expression plasmid for the cell line. RuiYi in-licensed global rights to RYI-008 last October from ArGEN-X, a Dutch company. The molecule is being developed as a treatment for cancer and inflammatory diseases. More details....

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Vectura and KingYork Form China Respiratory JV

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:40:00 -0400

Vectura, a UK maker of inhaled therapies, has established a China JV with two partners: Tianjin KingYork Group Company, a specialist in corticosteroid products, and Zendex Bio Strategy, a Hong Kong private equity investor. The JV, which will be named Tianjin Kinnovata Pharmaceutical Company, will use Vectura’s Clickhaler and Duohaler dry powder inhaler technology platforms to bring treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to China and the larger Asian region. More details....

Stock Symbol: (LSE: VEC)

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The Week in Review: Sagent Buys Out China JV Partner for $25 Million

Sat, 11 May 2013 03:16:00 -0400

Sagent Pharma, a US generic injectible drugmaker, will pay $25 million to acquire its partner’s 50% interest in a China manufacturing JV; ScinoPharm Taiwan and Coland Holdings formed a partnership to bring generic oncology drugs to mainland China; Zhejiang Huahai Pharma joined with Oncobiologics to develop and make biosimilars of four popular drugs; Hutchison Chi-Med will out-license global rights to a novel small-cell cancer drug this year; Zhejiang Beta Pharma and Amgen will form a JV to commercialize an Amgen cancer drug; Beijing Leadman Biochemistry will be the exclusive distributor in China for Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings’ diagnostic tests; Teva Pharma, which does not have a substantial presence in China, considers its products a natural fit for China’s market; and Greg Scott, president of ChinaBio, pointed out that China partners are essential for western pharmas: “In China, unless you have deep resources, it is difficult to come and do everything yourself,” he said. More details….

Stock Symbols: (NSDQ: SGNT) (TSE: 1789) (TSE: 4144) (SHA: 600521) (AIM: HCM) (NSDQ: AMGN) (SHE: 300289) (NYSE: TEVA) (AIM: IDH)

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ScinoPharm and Coland to Develop Oncology Drugs for China

Fri, 10 May 2013 06:52:00 -0400

ScinoPharm Taiwan and Coland Holdings have formed an alliance to bring generic oncology drugs to mainland China. The alliance has selected several of ScinoPharm’s APIs for development as injectible treatments. A third party will develop and manufacture the products, which will be co-marketed by Coland and ScinoPharm. Although Coland is listed in Taiwan and headquartered in Hong Kong, its operations, including a sales force, are in China. More details....

Stock Symbols: (TSE: 1789) (TSE: 4144)

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Hutchison Chi-Med in Partner Talks for Cancer Drug

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:40:00 -0400

Hutchison Chi-Med expects to license global rights to fruqintinib, one of its novel small-cell cancer drugs, before year-end, according to CEO Christian Hogg. The company has been in due diligence discussions with potential partners, he added. Because the drug is a promising treatment for solid tumors, Chi-Med will conduct simultaneous clinical trials against several types of cancer, and the company wants a partner to help shoulder the financial burden. More details....

Stock Symbol: (AIM: HCM)

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Zhejiang Beta Pharma Forms JV with Amgen

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:16:00 -0400

Zhejiang Beta Pharma and Amgen will form a joint venture to commercialize Amgen's Vectibix^® (panitumumab) in China. Vectibix is a treatment for colorectal cancer. In addition to being experienced with targeted therapies, Zhejiang Beta also has a well-established China oncology sales network. The JV will be 51% owned by Zhejiang Beta, with Amgen holding the remainder. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: AMGN)

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Zhejiang Huahai and Oncobiologics Sign Biosimilar Pact

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:07:24 -0400

Zhejiang Huahai Pharma has joined with Oncobiologics, a New Jersey biologics startup, to form a partnership that will develop, manufacture and promote biosimilars. Huahai will have exclusive rights to make and market four Oncobiologics-developed biosimilars in China. The two companies will also sign a co-development and commercialization agreement to bring the four products -- generic versions of Humira, Rituxan, Avastin and Herceptin -- to 30 developed countries. More details....

Stock Symbol: (SHA: 600521)

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Teva's CEO Thinks China is a “Natural Fit”

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:35:51 -0400

Teva Pharmaceutical, the world’s largest generic drug manufacturer and one of the world’s fifteen largest pharmas, does not have a substantial presence in China. But the company’s CEO, Jeremy Levin, believes China is a natural fit for Teva: “Our portfolio more closely matches the needs of that nation than nearly any other company in the world,” he told the Reuters Health Summit in a telephone interview. The reason? Teva’s focus on generic drugs and respiratory treatments. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: TEVA)

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Leadman to Distribute IDS’s Diagnostic Products in China

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:55:45 -0400

Beijing Leadman Biochemistry Technology Co. will be the exclusive distributor in China for Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings’ IDS-iSYS analyzer and assays. Headquartered in Great Britain, IDS considers itself a world leader in bone, cartilage and growth diagnostic tests. In addition, IDS and Leadman agreed to convert more than 50 of Leadman's proprietary immunoassays for use on the IDS-iSYS instrument. More details....

Stock Symbols: (SHE: 300289) (AIM: IDH)

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Sagent Pharma Pays $25 Million to Buy out China JV Partner

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:23:00 -0400

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, a Chicago-area maker of generic injectable drugs, will acquire its partner’s 50% interest in a China JV for $25 million. Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceuticals owned the other half of the JV, which was established in 2006 to build an FDA/GMP compliant manufacturing facility. Sagent apparently expects to use the China facility to manufacture products that supply the China and US markets. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SGNT)

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Want Success in China? Find an experienced Chinese Partner

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:17:00 -0400

With the ChinaBio® Partnering Forum 2013 less than a month away, EBD interviewed Greg Scott, president of ChinaBio about its consulting services. “In China, unless you have deep resources, it is difficult to come and do everything yourself,” Scott explains. “The market is fragmented, distribution is complex, and drug approval and pricing are complicated. It may take longer than in the West to bring a product to market, and business is conducted differently." To find the best China partner, Scott says to use a consultant with extensive China experience. More details....

Week in Review: Fosun Buys Israeli Laser Company for $240 Million

Sat, 04 May 2013 10:15:00 -0400

Shanghai Fosun Pharma, Chindex and a private equity partner will spend $240 million to buy a 95.6% stake in Alma Lasers, an Israeli medical device company; Ascletis, a China-US drug developer, in-licensed China rights to a next-generation HIV protease inhibitor from Janssen R&D Ireland; Zhejiang Huahai Pharma raised $126 million in a secondary offering to help pay for a new $240 million manufacturing facility; 3SBio rescheduled the vote on its controversial take-private offer for May 24, 2013; Richard Soll, PhD, of WuXi AppTec, said WuXi considers all its clients as partners no matter how the business relationship is structured; OrbusNeich, a Hong Kong cardiovascular device maker, won a German patent suit over stent technology against Boston Scientific; Li Ka-Shing, the richest man in Asia, gave $31 million to Oxford University in England to fund a new drug discovery and healthcare delivery institute; and China’s Ministry of Finance allocated $48.6 million in an effort to control the spread of the H7N9 avian flu. More details....

Stock Symbols: (SH: 600196; HK: 02196) (NSDQ: CHDX) (SHA: 600521) (NSDQ: SSRX) (NYSE: WX) (NYSE: BSX)

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Li Ka-Shing Donates $31 Million to Medical Research Institute at Oxford

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:21:00 -0400

Li Ka-Shing, the richest man in Asia, has given $31 million to Oxford University in England to fund a new drug discovery and healthcare delivery institute. Mr. Li founded the Hutchison Whampoa conglomerate, which is the corporate parent of Hutchison Chi-Med, one of China’s leading innovative pharmas. Great Britain is matching his gift with another $31 million of funding. When complete, the center will be the working home for 600 biologists, chemists, statisticians, computer scientists, engineers and clinical scientists. More details....

Stock Symbol: (AIM: HCM)

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Zhejiang Huahai Building $240 Million Production Facility

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:44:00 -0400

Zhejiang Huahai Pharma will offer 63.3 million shares at a price of 12.25 RMB each, raising 775 million RMB ($126 million). It will use the capital to build a new 1.5 billion RMB ($240 million) manufacturing facility for Diovan (valsartin) and other solid preparations for export. Diogen is an angiotensin receptor blocker that dilates blood vessels and is used to treat high blood pressure. More details....

Stock Symbol: (SHA: 600521)

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3SBio Schedules Take-Private Vote for May 24

Thu, 02 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

3SBio Inc. rescheduled the shareholders meeting that will vote on a controversial take-private offer. The meeting is now scheduled to take place on May 24, 2013. The original meeting was cancelled after the take-private bid was raised from $15.40 per ADS to $16.70. The increased bid surfaced amid allegations that 3SBio’s management discouraged still-higher offers. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SSRX)

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China Budgets $48.6 Million to Monitor H7N9 Bird Flu

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:47:00 -0400

In an emergency declaration, China’s Ministry of Finance allocated 303 million RMB ($48.6 million) in an effort to control the spread of the H7N9 avian flu. The money will fund efforts to monitor cases of H7N9 infection, influenza-like illnesses, severe acute respiratory infection and unexplained pneumonia. Separately, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security ordered medical insurance programs to cover more medicine and services for people infected with H7N9, reducing the financial burden on patients. More details....

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Ascletis In-Licenses China Rights to HIV Drug from Janssen

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:26:00 -0400

Ascletis, a China-US drug developer, has in-licensed China rights to a next-generation HIV protease inhibitor from Janssen R&D Ireland. Janssen believes the drug, known as TMC310911, is likely to prove more effective against drug-resistant strains of HIV than currently available PIs. The molecule is the third drug candidate in-licensed by Ascletis, which is also developing its own siRNA anti-cancer drug candidate. More details....

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OrbusNeich of Hong Kong Wins Patent Suit against Boston Scientific

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:55:00 -0400

OrbusNeich, a Hong Kong-headquartered cardiovascular device maker, has won a patent suit over stent technology in Germany against Boston Scientific. Boston Scientific vowed to appeal the ruling while OrbusNeich is carrying the patent fight into Ireland, the Netherlands and the European Union. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: BSX)

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WuXi AppTec – "Every Client is a Partner"

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:38:00 -0400

ChinaBio^® recently had a chance to talk with Richard Soll, PhD, Senior Vice President of Integrated Services, Head of Corporate Alliances at WuXi AppTec, China’s largest contract research organization. The subject was WuXi’s business strategy with a special focus on partnering. Although WuXi has various program structures in place for its clients, Dr. Soll stressed that all of their relationships are based on partnerships: “Every deal is a form of partnership, no matter how large or small it is.” he said. More details....

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Fosun, Chindex and PE Fund Buy Israeli Aesthetic Device Company

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:05:00 -0400

Shanghai Fosun Pharma, Chindex and a private equity partner will spend up to $240 million to buy 95.6% of an Israeli medical device company, Alma Lasers. Alma, which had revenues of about $100 million last year, makes lasers and other products, primarily for aesthetic procedures. Fosun said the investment represented a growing internationalization of its operations. More details....

Stock Symbols: (SH: 600196; HK: 02196) (NSDQ: CHDX)

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Week in Review: WuXi PharmaTech Contributes to Syros Pharma Funding

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 05:29:00 -0400

Syros Pharmaceuticals of Boston raised $30 million to develop cancer treatments from WuXi PharmaTech and other investors; a subsidiary of Hua Han Bio-Pharma signed a framework agreement to set up a JV with China’s National Vaccine & Serum Institute; Tasly Pharma paid $240 million to acquire Jiangsu TaslyDiyi Pharma, a maker of chemical drugs; 3SBio received a much-higher offer from the consortium that is offering to take the company private, though the consortium is alleged to have discouraged other bids; Takeda and Sanofi agreed to co-promote Takeda’s Alogliptin, a DPP-4 treatment for type 2 diabetes, in China; Eisai announced plans to build a second production facility in Suzhou; and China scientists used lasers as optical tweezers to pick apart a blockage in the capillaries of a mouse ear, cell by cell. More details….

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: WX) (HK: 00587) (SHA: 600535) (NSDQ: SSRX) (TO: 4502) (NYSE: SNY) (TO: 4523)

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China Researchers Clear Blocked Blood Vessels with Lasers

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:59:00 -0400

Using lasers as optical tweezers, China scientists have picked apart a blockage in the capillaries of a mouse ear, cell by cell. The work was done by Yin-Mei Li, PhD, and her team from the University of Science and Technology in China in Hefei. The researchers explained that the weak forces generated by light passing through molecules were strong enough to allow the cells to be manipulated. More details....

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Eisai Building Second Production Facility in Suzhou

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:22:00 -0400

Eisai, the Japanese biopharma, announced plans to build a new production facility in Suzhou, alongside its current China plant. The new facility will make injectible drugs, especially Methycobal®, a treatment for peripheral neuropathies and one of Eisai’s major products in China. According to Eisai, its China sales are growing, a trend it expects to continue, and the company wants to insure a steady supply of products. More details....

Stock Symbol: (TO: 4523)

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Takeda and Sanofi Strike Diabetes Drug Co-Promotion in China

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:34:00 -0400

Takeda and Sanofi agreed to co-promote Takeda’s Alogliptin, a DPP-4 treatment for type 2 diabetes, in China. Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will have the exclusive right to promote the drug in certain defined territories in China. Alogliptin is currently being reviewed for marketing by the SFDA; Takeda expects an approval sometime this year. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. More details....

Stock Symbols: (TO: 4502) (NYSE: SNY)

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3SBio Ups its Take-Private Offer as Opposition Rises

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:56:00 -0400

3SBio received a much-higher offer from the consortium that wants to take the company private. The offer now stands at $16.70 per ADS, up from $15.40. Rumors have surfaced that other bidders would bid up to $20 per ADS. But 3SBio effectively quashed the offers by threatening that the majority of senior management would leave the company unless the winning consortium includes 3SBio’s Chairman/CEO, Jing Liu. Dr. Liu is the man behind the original offer and the now-increased bid. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: SSRX)

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Hua Han Bio-Pharma and China National Biotec Announce JV

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:13:00 -0400

A subsidiary of Hua Han Bio-Pharmaceutical Holdings, Guizhou Factorr Bio-Technology Co., signed a framework agreement to set up a JV with National Vaccine & Serum Institute. NVSI is a Beijing-based company that is part of the China National Biotec Group. Guizhou will fund the JV with between 30 and 50 million RMB of capital ($5-8 million), while NVSI will contribute rights to three biopharma products. More details....

Stock Symbol: (HK: 00587)

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WuXi PharmaTech VC Fund Participates in Syros Pharma's Initial Round

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:05:00 -0400

Syros Pharmaceuticals, a Boston area startup, raised $30 million to develop treatments for cancer and other diseases by controlling the switches that regulate gene expression. The WuXi PharmaTech Corporate Venture Fund participated in the funding, which was led by ARCH Venture Partners and Flagship Ventures. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: WX)

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Tasly Pharma Buys 100% of TaslyDiyi Pharma

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:15:00 -0400

Tasly Pharmaceutical, a company known mainly for its TCM products, paid 1.5 billion RMB ($240 million) to acquire Jiangsu TaslyDiyi Pharmaceutical, a maker of chemical drugs. TaslyDiyi was 75% owned by Tianjin Tasly Group, Tasly Pharma’s corporate parent. The remaining 25% belonged to Chongshi Ventures. In 2003, Tasly Group and Chongshi Ventures bought Diyi Pharma for 67 million RMB, which means their 10-year holding returned 22 times their initial investment. More details....

Stock Symbol: (SHA: 600535)

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Week in Review: Ascletis Collaborates with Roche on HCV Treatment

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:15:00 -0400

Ascletis will collaborate with Roche to develop Roche’s hepatitis C virus drug in China; Thermo Fisher acquired Life Technologies, pitching the transaction as an attractive combination for Asian markets; the Zongyi Group of China invested $8.6 million in ContraFect Corporation, a New York biotech; Wuhan Kindstar Diagnostics, a testing service for China hospitals, will collaborate with Illumina; Cipla launched a biosimilar version of the arthritis treatment Enbrel in India, which it sources from Shanghai CP Guojian; Suzhou Ascepion Pharma said Debiopharm of Switzerland will support further China development of a cancer treatment; Eddingpharm and Chiesi Farmaceutici formed a JV to market two of Chiesi’s asthma drugs in China; Merck opened its new $120 million drug packaging facility in Hangzhou; Injex Pharma of Germany received SFDA approval to market its INJEX30 needle-free injection system in China for insulin; Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences’ lymphoma treatment met its primary endpoint in a Phase II trial; and a subsidiary of Inner Mongolia Furui Medical was given FDA 510(k) approval to market its liver fibrosis device in the US. More details….

Stock Symbols: (VX: ROG) (NYSE: TMO) (NSDQ: LIFE) (NSDQ: ILMN) (NYSE: MRK) (BSE: 500087) (SHE: 300049)

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Zongyi Group Invests $8.6 Million in ContraFect, a US Biotech

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:59:00 -0400

The Zongyi Group of China has invested $8.6 million in ContraFect Corporation, a New York City-area biotech that is developing biotech antibiotics. ContraFect is focused on the use of monoclonal antibodies and lysins as solutions for difficult-to-treat infectious diseases. The company said the new capital – it raised $9.5 million in the round – would advance a new drug toward clinical trials. ContraFect also expects Zongyi to open doors for the company in China. More details....

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Wuhan Kindstar Announces Collaboration with Illumina

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:54:00 -0400

Wuhan Kindstar Diagnostics, a company that provides esoteric testing services to over 3,300 China hospitals, has formed a collaboration with Illumina. Using Illumina's TruSight^TM content sets, Infinium® Dx CytoSNP-12 assay and NuPCR^TM reagents, Kindstar will validate and implement molecular assays in its laboratories. Kindstar officials said the collaboration will expand its test offerings. More details...

Stock Symbol: (NSDQ: ILMN)

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Cipla Launches Shanghai CP Guojian’s Biosimilar in India

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:40:00 -0400

Cipla Ltd., an Indian generic drug company, has begun marketing a biosimilar version of the rheumatoid arthritis treatment Enbrel, which it sources from Shanghai CP Guojian Pharmaceutical Co. CPGJ has been selling the drug in China since 2006, where it has been given to more than 50,000 patients. Cipla described its relationship with CPGJ as a “partnership.” More details....

Stock Symbol: (BSE: 500087)

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Suzhou Ascepion and Debiopharm to Develop Cancer Drug for China

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:06:00 -0400

Suzhou Ascepion Pharma announced that Debiopharm of Switzerland will support further China development of Debio 1144, a small molecule in preclinical development as a treatment for solid tumors. In June 2012, Ascepion out-licensed global rights for the molecule to Debiopharm. Because the drug has the potential to be an effective treatment for cancers that are prevalent in China, Debiopharm will support Ascepion’s development of Debio 1144 for China. Terms were not disclosed. More details....

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Merck Opens $120 Million Packaging Plant in Hangzhou

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:04:00 -0400

Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, officially opened its new $120 million drug packaging facility in Hangzhou. The plant will supply Merck products to China and other Asia Pacific countries. The China facility was built even though Merck is closing down plants in other parts of the world. Following its merger with Schering-Plough in 2009, Merck owned 93 facilities around the globe. It has shrunk that number to 72. More details....

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: MRK)

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Injex Pharma Given China Approval for Needle-Free Delivery Device

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:56:00 -0400

Injex Pharma of Germany was granted SFDA approval to market its INJEX30 needle-free injection system in China. Injex said its exclusive China distributor, Hangzhou Hema Medical Equipment Co., helped with the one and one-half year registration process, which it described as “arduous.” Injex will sell the product as a needle-free delivery system for insulin. More details....

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Thermo Fisher Buys Life Technologies; Aims to Grow in Asia

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:56:00 -0400

Thermo Fisher emerged as the victor in the hotly contested battle to acquire Life Technologies, paying a higher than expected $13.6 billion for the privilege. Both companies are in the lab products business, but Life Technologies adds gene sequencing machines to the mix. In addition, both companies are actively working to increase their China revenues, and combining the two companies was positioned as a way to gain better traction in emerging markets, especially Asia. More details....

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: TMO) (NSDQ: LIFE)

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