South East Asian Health News

REGIONAL

The Beijing Customs Office has reported that the volume of imported medical devices decreased by 50% in H1 1998. Nevertheless, the value of imported goods rose 3.5% to US$14.5m. Imports of raw materials increased while imports of preparations decreased. (September 22nd 1998)

Cadila Pharmaceutical, of India, and Nichiko Pharmaceutical, of Japan, have agreed on a business alliance. Cadila will provide Nichiko with raw medicinals and a supply of OEM pharmaceutical products. In return, Cadila will utilize Nichiko's sales and distribution channels in China, Korea and Taiwan. (October 5th 1998)

Hyal Pharmaceutical Corporation (Hyal), the Australian drug delivery development company, and its 60% owned Australian subsidiary, Hyal Pharmaceutical Australia Limited (HPAL), have reached a new agreement on product development and distribution. Hyal is to acquire the rights originally licensed to HPAL in 18 Asian countries for Solarase, Oralease and Hyanalgese-D. In return, HPAL will receive 15% of any revenues generated from the products worldwide. (September 29th 1998)

Mitsubishi Chemical and Mitsui, both of Japan, have agreed to form a JV in China to market pharmaceuticals, including cardiovascular, antiallergics and respiratory drugs. The domestic market is currently valued at US$7.4bn, and is expected to grow up to 20% a year. (September 24th 1998)

Shaanxi Hanjiang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd has received FDA approval to market its levamisol hydrochloride and levamisol phophate products in the US. The company currently exports products to over 28 countries and earned US$10.5m in export revenues in 1997. (September 17th 1998)

SmithKline Beecham (SKB) has received approval to establish a holding company in China. As a result it is investing US$51m to build a new plant. The plant will be run by the JV SmithKline Beecham Tianjin and will produce Avandia and Ariflo, diabetes and asthma drugs respectively. SKB is also investing US$25m to build a factory in Shanghai to produce a new hepatitis drug. SKB expects the two new plants to boost its pharmaceutical sales in China from US$120m to US$200m. (October 8th 1998)

Taiwan Sugar Corp (Taisugar) is planning to invest NT$350 (US$10m) in UBI Asia, a subsidiary of the US-based United Biomedical Inc (UBI). The investment will account for 10% of the total shares. Taiwan is expected to play an important role as the future Asia-Pacific manufacturing operations center for key sectors in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. (September 28th 1998)

United Biomedical Inc (UBI) and the Taiwan have established a biopharmaceutical JV in China. The ROC has invested US$40m in the venture to help develop Taiwan's biopharmaceutical industry. The JV will be called UBI-Asia and will focus on developing immunotherapeutics, vaccines, pharmaceutical and diagnostic products for both human and veterinary use. (October 7th 1998)