further info on the hbv distribution agmt in china

SSL/SHENZHEN HBV PRESS RELEASE 10.13.05 I.DOC
SCIGEN LTD
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE HEPATITIS B VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT IN CHINA
12 October 2005: In response to market enquiry following the company’s announcement on
Monday 10 October 2005, SciGen Limited (ASX: SIE) has set out below further information
regarding the commercialisation agreement with Hefei Life Science Park Investment &
Development Co (HLSPID) for the distribution of SciGen’s hepatitis B product, Sci-B-Vac™ in
China.
SciGen announces the following additional aspects of its agreement with HLSPID:
(1) the agreement became effective on 7 October 2005;
(2) HLSPID is required to order minimum annual quantities of Sci-B-Vac™ over a
7 year period commencing at the start of health registration, anticipated at the
end of calendar year 2007. The health registration will be handled by HLSPID;
(3) the minimum annual quantities over the 7 year period are of equal amounts;
(4) subject to securing health registration SciGen anticipates generating revenue
from the agreement with HLSPID in the first calendar quarter of 2008.
About Sci-B-Vac™:
Sci-B-Vac™ is a third generation recombinant vaccine produced in mammalian cells culture that
contains a mixture of three regions of the hepatitis B virus surface proteins that stimulate a faster
immune response than other hepatitis B vaccine presently available. Sci-B-Vac™ has been proven
safe and effective after testing in more than 3,500 men, women, children and newborn.
About Hefei Life Science Group:
Hefei Life Science Group consist of several wholly owned healthcare companies including Shenzhen
Medical Products Co. Ltd (SMPC), which was established in 1982 to import, distribute and market
pharmaceuticals and medical equipments in China. Over the years, it secured the distribution of
pharmaceutical products from several multi-national companies, including Hoechst, Eli Lilly, Bayer,
Ajinomoto and Schering Plough. It has offices all over China and a sales network of over 200
distributors. Its own marketing and sales team covers 500 major hospitals in addition to covering the
private sector.
SMPC, a privately held company has significant revenues and include sales of biological products. In
order to further invest in, develop and manufacture biopharmaceuticals in China SMP was
incorporated into Hefei Life Science Technology Investment & Development (HLSTID) in Hefei City in
cooperation with the Hefei Economic and Technological Development Area. It receives strong support
from the Hefei government and maintains strong relations with regulatory and health authorities.
“The execution of the Hepatitis B Vaccine agreement with SciGen is one other major commitment in
the Biotechnology sector that will significantly contribute to the group expansion and revenues stream”
stated the Chairman of HLSTID.
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SSL/SHENZHEN HBV PRESS RELEASE 10.13.05 I.DOC
About SciGen™:
SciGen Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company involved in commercializing later stage research. It codevelops
and markets biopharmaceutical products for human healthcare. SciGen focuses in the
areas of gastroenterology, endocrinology and immunology. Its product portfolio includes vaccines and
therapeutics.
SciGen acquires rights to manufacture, distribute and market biopharmaceutical products under
exclusive licensing arrangements. SciGen’s portfolio currently includes proprietary biotechnologyderived
products, and biogeneric products, which allow for faster entry into the market, as biogeneric
products have undergone much of the clinical development and trials required to bring drugs to
market. This minimizes the risks associated with early stage product development. SciGen currently
undertakes R&D activities in collaboration with strategic partners and institutions.
SciGen’s competitive advantage is in identifying research with commercial potential at an early stage
to which it adds its expertise in gaining regulatory approval and bringing products to market.
SciGen is a Singaporean biotechnology company, established in 1988 and listed on the Australian
Stock Exchange (ASX code SIE). SciGen is headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Australia,
USA, Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Philippines and partners in India, China, Indonesia, Israel,
Poland, Austria and the Netherlands.