PRESS RELEASE
To Editor (Business / Finance / China / Medical / Supplement)
The First Chinese Herbal Medicine to Relieve AIDS Symptoms
Succeeds in Gaining PRC SFDA Approval
Golden Meditech (8180) Plans to Acquire 51% Equity Stake
in HIV / AIDS Treatment Company
[Hong Kong - 10 June 2004] On April 8th of this year, PRC’s State Food and
Drug Administration (SFDA) issued the first ever approval for a Chinese herbal
medicine, Tang Cao Pian, to be used in the treatment of AIDS symptoms. This
medicine brings fresh hope to PRC’s over 840,000 AIDS patients and HIV
carriers.
Tang Cao Pian is the world’s first all-natural Chinese medicine to be certified as
effective in the alleviation of AIDS symptoms. This herbal medicine is the result
of years of intensive research performed by Beijing Qi Jie Yuan Medicine
Technology Limited (“Beijing QJY”). Clinical trials have proven that the herb can
effectively increase the number of CD4 lymph cells (also called T4 cells) in AIDS
patients and HIV carriers, strengthening their immune systems. Furthermore,
the herb has shown to reduce fatigue, hair loss, lack of appetite, diarrhoea and
other symptoms of the virus, allowing AIDS patients and HIV carriers to resume
normal activity and greatly improving their quality of life.
Golden Meditech Company Limited (“Golden Meditech”) (Stock Code: 8180)
has always held its mission to be the guardian of people’s well-being and quality
of life. Consequently, it plans to acquire a 51% equity stake in Beijing QJY.
This will allow Golden Meditech to provide HIV carriers and AIDS patients with the
high quality, reasonably priced Tang Cao Pian treatment, helping the PRC
government resolve this social problem.
Mr. Yuen KAM, Chairman of Golden Meditech, said, “AIDS, the epidemic of the
century, has brought to the world and particularly developing countries a
tremendous burden. The treatments currently in use are extremely expensive
and have strong side effects, creating both physiological and financial strains that
are difficult for those infected by the virus to bear. We are very proud of the
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development of Tang Cao Pian; this breakthrough is truly great news for the
medical community.
“We are very happy to become shareholders in Beijing QJY, which will expand our
business into new territory. Golden Meditech will use our corporate resources
effectively to bring the benefits of Tang Cao Pian to more patients and carriers.
At the same time, the herb can also help us to repay the society by implementing
our mission of improving people’s well-being and enhancing their quality of life.
Golden Meditech hopes that Tang Cao Pian will also be able to help AIDS patients
and HIV carriers in Hong Kong. Golden Meditech will do its best to comply with
the HKSAR government and complete the registration of Tang Cao Pian, bringing
the benefits of the herbal medicine to more people in need of aid.”
Recently, the PRC government has initiated a series of measures curbing the
AIDS virus from spreading, including free testing and consultation, providing free
medication for AIDS patients, issuing preventative regulations, building a caring
centre for AIDS, and educating the public to fight the disease, etc.
Golden Meditech will acquire Beijing QJY for HK$452 million, of which HK$136
million will be paid in cash, HK$226 million in convertible bonds will be paid when
the acquisition is complete, and the remaining HK$90.4 million will be paid within
one year of the acquisition.
Mr. Kam went on to say, “Golden Meditech has been looking for pharmaceutical
companies with strong growth potential as long term investments, in order to
diversify the group’s portfolio. The medical community has shown increasing
interest in the use of natural herbs to cure disease, and the number of doctors
who recommend a combination of eastern- and western-style treatments
continues to grow. China has a long history and deep knowledge in herbal
treatments. We strongly believe that herbal treatments will play a more significant
role in the future of pharmaceutical business, especially on treating those
diseases which cannot be cured by conventional western medicines. Therefore,
the Group’s acquisition of Beijing QJY is a major advancement for its
development in herbal medicine treatment business while at the same time, it
helps strengthen its position in the medical sector in the PRC and provide another
source of income for shareholders.”
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About Tang Cao Pian
In recent years, clinical trials for Tang Cao Pian have taken place at China’s Beijing
Youan Hospital, Beijing Ditan Hospital, People’s Liberation Army Hospital No. 302 (『解放
軍 302 醫院』), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Third People’s Hospital of
Kunming.
The
clinical
trials
were
set
up
as
randomized,
double-blind,
placebo-controlled parallel-group multicenter studies to gauge the efficacy and safety of
Tang Cao Pian.
The results clearly showed that Tang Cao Pian visibly increased
patients’ CD4 cell count and ameliorated their clinical condition, allowing them to gain
weight and also increasing their CD4/CD8 cell count ratio. There is also a possibility that
the herb can delay the replication of the HIV virus. No obvious adverse side effects
were found in the course of the clinical trials.
Early AIDS patients taking Tang Cao Pian can suppress or reverse the development of
the disease. Mid-term patients using it can prevent further damage to the immune system
as well as regain and strengthen their autoimmunity. Advanced stage virus patients can
use it to control the onset of complications. Tang Cao Pian comes in tablet form and
should be taken orally, 3 doses a day, 8 tablets per dose.
continuously.
It should be taken
Production of Tang Cao Pian will begin at the end of the year at the very
earliest.
Tang Cao Pian
ARVs Treatments
(Antiretroviral Therapies)
Increases CD4 cells number
Delays the replication of HIV
virus
- Improves patients’ conditions
such as diarrhoea, weariness,
loss of hair, appetite etc
When to initiate Both HIV carriers and AIDS
the treatment
patients can take the medicine
Effectiveness
-
Side-effects
Very few side effects
Duration of
treatment
Patients can take the medicine
continuously
Cost per
Estimated RMB3,000 per
treatment
treatment
Sales Channels - By Prescription;
- Over the Counter
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-
Reduce HIV virus
Stop HIV virus from further
infecting uninfected CD4 cells;
no effect on those infected
with the virus
ARVs treatments recommended
for advanced HIV carriers or/and
AIDS patients
Associated with lose of muscle,
anemia, skin rash, lop, mouth
and tongue sores, abnormal
bruising or bleeding headaches
etc.
Need to be changed occasionally
for either treatment failure or
toxicity
Range from RMB 3,000 to RMB
10,000 per treatment
By Prescription only
About Golden Meditech Company Limited
Golden Meditech is a leading hi-tech integrated medical corporation in the People’s
Republic of China.
The Group operates three main businesses: medical devices,
tumour treatment and stem cell storage. Its main product, Autologous Blood Recovery
Systems, is the first product of its kind to receive approval from the State Food and Drug
Administration in the PRC to develop, manufacture and sell in the PRC. The Group is
also one of the only two holders of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Storage permits issued by
the PRC Ministry of Health.
To broaden and diversify its business, it has signed
agreements to be engaged in the distribution of both domestic and overseas medical
devices in the PRC, and the research and development of herbal medicine. Through
research and development, manufacture, expansion of distribution networks and
investment in mergers and acquisitions, the Group aspires to and is striving to become
one of the world’s leading hi-tech integrated medical corporations.
###
Issued by A-World Consulting Ltd on behalf of Golden Meditech.
For further information and inquiries, please contact:
Ms Viki Li
Account Executive
A-World Consulting
Tel: (852) 2864 4882
Fax: (852) 2157 0505
Email: viki.li@a-world.com.hk
Mrs Fanny Lui
Project Director
A-World Consulting
Tel: (852) 2114 4974
Fax: (852) 2157 0505
E-mail: fanny.lui@a-world.com.hk
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