Download Forges Strategic Alliance with China Resources Zizhu for GeneSoft

Press Release
Uni-Bio Science Group Forges Strategic Alliance with China Resources Zizhu
for GeneSoft®
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Broadens Distribution Network and Accelerates Growth
(Hong Kong, 27 June 2016) Uni-Bio Science Group Limited (“Uni-Bio Science” or the “Group”;
HKEx code: 690) has today announced that it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with China
Resources Zizhu Pharmaceutical Co., Limited (“China Resources Zizhu”), a wholly owned
subsidiary of China Resource Pharmaceuticals Group, which focuses on development, manufacture
and marketing of ophthalmology and reproductive health drugs in China. China Resouces Zhizhu has
gained several years of experience in the ophthalmologic and reproductive health pharmaceutical
segments. Under the agreement, China Resources Zizhu is granted the sole distribution and promotion
rights of GeneSoft® and will include the drug within its existing hospital network in Mainland China for a
minimum of five years, with an option to renew the contract for the following five years.
GeneSoft® is an ophthalmic solution containing a derivative of recombinant human epidermal growth
factor (rhEGF) which enhances the healing of cornea wounds by promoting corneal epithelium
regeneration. The mechanism of action is unique and therefore highly applicable to a wide range of
ophthalmology indications, including dry eyes, and trauma after ocular surgery (e.g. LASIK). According
to IMS, China’s ophthalmology market size has close to tripled in the past five years to RMB4.0 billion
in 2014. In the near future, ophthalmology will continue to be one of the fastest growing indications in
China due to aging population and prolonged use of smartphones and computers on a daily basis.
Under the partnership, GeneSoft® has immediate access to China Resources Zizhu’s network for
commercializing the drug, a distribution platform with a proven track record and a seasoned sales and
marketing team. Currently, GeneSoft® is reimbursed in Jilin and Yunnan provinces as well as Tianjin
municipality. Uni-Bio Science believes that through leveraging China Resources Zizhu’s extensive
distribution network and expertise in sales and marketing, distribution of GeneSoft® can be expanded to
new regions more quickly, thereby driving further business growth.
Mr. KOH Phee Wah, CEO of China Operations of Uni-Bio Science, said: “Creating a partnership
model to expand our business has been a key direction in mapping out our new strategy since 2015. I
am pleased with the latest partnership with the reputable industry player China Resources Zizhu, to
accelerate the penetration of GeneSoft® in the PRC market. This alliance also demonstrates China
Resources Zizhu’s recognition both of our Group as well as the competitive advantages and the
potential of our drug. By leveraging China Resources Zizhu’s extensive distribution network, proven
track record and commercialization expertise, we are confident that our partnership can boost the
revenues generated by our quality drug as the partnership realises its potential to improve its
performance in the near future.”
Uni-Bio Science Group Forges Strategic Alliance with China Resources Zizhu for GeneSoft
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Mr. WU Jun, Senior Deputy General Manager of China Resources Pharmaceutical Group and
Chairman of China Resources Zizhu, said, “China Resources Zizhu, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
China Resources Pharmaceutical Group, is a leader in the reproductive health pharmaceuticals market
in China and has achieved rapid development in the R&D and marketing of ophthalmologic drugs. And
in recent years, China Resources Zizhu has actively expanded in the ophthalmologic treatment
segment. Overall, sales of our major ophthalmologic products grew rapidly in 2015 compared to 2014.
Through our cooperation with Uni-Bio Science, we hope to enlarge the market share of GeneSoft® in
China and on the other hand, to add product types to our portfolio through agency arrangement, China
Resources Zizhu is able to speed up establishing presence in the ophthalmology market.”
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Photo Caption
Mr. KOH Phee Wah, CEO of China Operations of Uni-Bio Science (first row, left) and Mr. WU Jun,
Senior Deputy General Manager of China Resources Pharmaceutical Group and Chairman of China
Resources Zizhu (first row, right), today sign a strategic alliance agreement related to the sole
distribution and promotion rights of GeneSoft® in China.
About Uni-Bio Science Group Limited (SEHK: 0690)
Uni-Bio Science Group Limited is principally engaged in the research and development, manufacture and
distribution of pharmaceutical products. The research and development center located in Dongguan, PRC is fully
equipped with a complete system for the development of genetically-engineered products with a pilot plant test
base which is in line with CFDA requirements. The Group also has two GMP manufacturing bases in Beijing and
Shenzhen. The Group is focused on the development of novel treatments addressing the therapeutic areas of
diabetes, ophthalmology and dermatology.
Uni-Bio Science Group Forges Strategic Alliance with China Resources Zizhu for GeneSoft
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About China Resources Zizhu Pharmaceutical Co., Limited
China Resources Zizhu is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited, and the
parent ranks second in terms of overall capabilities among domestic players in China. With the mission “Better
Life Together”, China Resources Pharmaceutical Group aims to become the “leading pharmaceutical company in
China”.
China Resources Zizhu is a high-tech company that mainly produces family-planning, reproductive health and
ophthalmologic pharmaceutical products, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). With more than four
decades of experience in research and development of pharmaceutical products, the company was among the
first to be named a key enterprise in the Beijing Biomedical Industry Development Project (G20 Project).
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About GeneSoft
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GeneSoft is a colourless and transparent ophthalmic solution containing a derivative of recombinant human
epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) for topical use which enhances the healing of cornea wounds by promoting
corneal epithelium regeneration. The rhEGF used in GeneSoft contains a patented extra three amino acids in the
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N-terminus, which confer original rhEGF with additional commercial benefits, including better stability. GeneSoft
is approved by the CFDA as a class I bio product in 2004 for a very wide range of lucrative ophthalmology
indications related corneal epithelial defects. These include eye trauma, ocular surgery, dry eye with recurrent
superficial punctuate keratitis, moderate chemical burn, etc. Over the last four years, Uni-Bio Science’s sales of
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EGF-related products (GeneTime and GeneSoft ) have registered a CAGR of 21.9%, representing sales of
HK$82.0 million as of 31 December 2015.
Media Enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Veron Ng
Phone: +852 2864 4831
Angelus Lau
Phone: +852 2864 4805
Phoebe Li
Phone: +852 2864 4862
Fax:
+852 2527 1196
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
WeChat ID: Unibio-IR