Full Press Release Details
Initiates Preparatory Activities for Swine Flu Vaccine
Thursday April 30, 2009, 11:58 am EDT
April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NYSE Amex: SVA), a
leading developer and provider of vaccines in China, today announced that the
Company has initiated preparatory activities for the development of a vaccine
for the new influenza A (H1N1) strain, Swine Flu, which is currently spreading
throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Sinovac has contacted various
Chinese government authorities and other global health organizations in order to
closely monitor the disease and evaluate strategies to control and prevent its
confirmation from health authorities, Sinovac expects to receive the swine flu
virus strain in the near future, enabling the Company to commence manufacturing
of the vaccine. Production will occur at the Company's vaccine manufacturing and
filling and packaging facilities, which have Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
certification from China's State Food and Drug Administration
following the receipt of a Chinese government grant, Sinovac expanded its annual
manufacturing capacity for its pandemic influenza vaccine, Panflu(TM), to 20
million doses; these facilities can also be leveraged in the development of a
Swine Flu vaccine. In April 2008, Sinovac received SFDA approval to produce
Panflu. The approval of Panflu in China followed a fast track regulatory
approval process, which enables a timely approval and rapid response to control
the spread of new viruses before they can cause a human influenza
an approved whole viron pandemic influenza vaccine for adults, however, the new
flu virus has infected many children this time. In order to help prevent
transmission of the disease among children, Sinovac has sped up the regulatory
application process for its split pandemic influenza vaccine, which was
developed for the pediatric population and the Company expects to provide both a
whole viron vaccine and split vaccine to tackle the disease
Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO, commented, "As China's only approved
manufacturer of a pandemic influenza (H5N1) vaccine, we have a fully integrated
human vaccine development expertise and manufacturing capability to produce a
Swine Flu vaccine following the receipt of the H1N1 strain. Our cumulative
development efforts for Panflu have uniquely positioned Sinovac to rapidly
develop a human Swine Flu vaccine prototype specific to the H1N1 virus strain.
Once this vaccine strain is available from the global health authorities, we
will be ready to produce vaccine as needed."
Biotech Ltd. is a China-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the
research, development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines that
protect against human infectious diseases. Sinovac's vaccine products include
Healive (hepatitis A), Bilive (combined hepatitis A and B), and Anflu
(influenza). Panflu(TM) , Sinovac's pandemic influenza vaccine (H5N1), has
already been approved for government stockpiling.
is developing vaccines for Enterovirus 71, Universal Pandemic Influenza,
Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and Human Rabies vaccine. Its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Tangshan Yian, is conducting field trials for independently
developed inactivated animal rabies vaccines.
announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made
under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words
or phrases such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends,"
"plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the
business outlook and quotations from management in this press release contain
forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including
statements about Sinovac's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward- looking statement. Sinovac does not
undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as
required under applicable law.
more information, please contact:
+86-10-8289-0088 x9871
+1-646-536-7023/7002