Even though last week was shortened by holidays – in both China and the US – China life science issued announcements that gave evidence of progress. Companies announced more inter-company integration, approvals of new products and other signs of growth.

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (NYSE: SCR) (先声药业) will expand into the vaccine sector by paying 195.5 million RMB ($28.8 million) for a 37.5% stake in Jiangsu Yanshen Biological Technology Stock Co., Ltd. (see story). Jiangsu Yanshen's major products include an influenza vaccine and a rabies vaccine (vero cell) for humans. The two products have the second and the fourth largest market shares in China respectively. Simcere did not release annual revenues for Jiangsu Yanshen.

Neusoft Positron Medical Systems, a China-located joint venture between Neusoft Corporation (SHA: 600718) of Shenyang and Positron Corporation (OTCBB: POSC) of the US, has received 510K approval for its Attrius™ PET scanner (see story). The Attrius is aimed at cardiac perfusion imaging. Positron contributes its experience with PET machines, while Neusoft added software to the package. The machines will be made in China by the JV. By manufacturing a PET machine that does not include the expensive CT scanner, Neusoft Positron hopes to serve a low-cost niche market that includes doctors’ offices and rural/community hospitals.

China Sky One Medical (NSDQ: CSKI) (中国天字一号医药公司) announced further additions to its ever-increasing portfolio of pharmaceutical products (see story). The company reported the SFDA approved production of two new drugs, bringing to 25 the total number of approvals for China Sky One Medical since January 2008. Another 20 products are in the application process.

ChemWerth, a US-based supplier of APIs to the generic drug industry, has added Tianjin Tianyao Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. to its list of manufacturing sources (see story). ChemWerth will represent Tianjin Tianyao’s corticosteroid API, which has FDA GMP approval. Tianjin Tianyao is the largest exporter of corticosteroid bulks in Asia and has chairman status with the China steroid hormone association.

Roche Applied Science, the research tools division of Swiss biopharma Hoffman-La Roche (Switz: ROG), has launched an Application Support Center in Shanghai (see story). The center will offer hotline support to Asia Pacific biopharma researchers who are using Roche tools. There is no charge for the service. The service center aims to speed up discovery in life sciences.

China has established a “green channel” between the World Health Organization (WHO) and China vaccine manufacturers, which should reduce development time of an A/H1N1 flu vaccine by 30 days (see story). China expects to receive samples of the flu in early June. That would put them on schedule to start producing a vaccine by mid-July following the speeded-up development protocol.

Biostar Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: BSPM) reported Q1 revenues climbed 9% to $7.4 million, while net income remained flat at $1.8 million (see story). Earnings per share were 8 cents. The company said sales improved in four of its five SFDA approved drugs, a result of its initiative to market directly to rural consumers through retail pharmacies. The push to increase retail sales increased SG&A costs from 30% of revenues to 33%. That was enough to keep net income from rising in concert with total revenues. Sales of Xin Aoxing Oleanolic Acid Capsules, an OTC treatment for hepatitis B that contributed 52% of the company’s Q1 revenue, were slightly lower than the year-earlier quarter.


Disclosure: none.