IP protection for main prescr

RNS Number : 3365K

Hutchison China Meditech Limited

19 April 2010

 



 

 

Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med")

(AIM: HCM)

Seven-year extension of IP protection for Chi-Med's main prescription drug

London: Monday, 19 April 2010:  Chi-Med today announces that its main proprietary prescription drug, She Xiang Bao Xin pill ("SXBXP"), for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, has gained a seven-year extension of its "Confidential State Secret Technology" status as certified by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and State Secrecy Bureau. This effectively extends full intellectual property protection of SXBXP until December 2016 by prohibiting generic registrations.

SXBXP is produced and distributed by Shanghai Hutchison Pharmaceuticals Limited ("SHPL"), Chi-Med's 50% owned prescription drug joint venture, part of its China Healthcare Division.  SHPL is the only manufacturer and distributor of SXBXP. In 2009, contribution of SXBXP's sales to Chi-Med's China Healthcare Division grew 41% to US$22.4 million (2008: US$15.8m).  Sales of SXBXP represented over 82% of SHPL's total sales in 2009 and over 800 million doses of the drug.

SXBXP holds market-leading shares in the prescription cardiovascular drug market in eastern China with market shares of 30.4% in Shanghai, 19.8% in Nanjing and 27.6% in Hangzhou (IMS Health data 2009).

In September 2009, SXBXP was included on China's Essential Medicines List of 307 drugs that are now mandatory for all state-owned health institutions in China to carry.  Furthermore, in December 2009, SXBXP had its Type-A drug status renewed in the latest edition of the Medicines Catalogue announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in China, which means it is fully reimbursed in all provinces under the national medical insurance, labour injury insurance and child birth insurance systems in China.

Christian Hogg, CEO of Chi-Med, said:  "The extension of protection on SXBXP is an important achievement which, in combination with inclusion on the Essential Medicines List and Type-A status on the Medicines Catalogue in China, should help our China Healthcare Division maintain its positive momentum."

Ends

Enquiries

Chi-Med    Christian Hogg, CEO	Telephone: [phone]
Citigate Dewe Rogerson    Anthony Carlisle    David Dible    Lazard & Co., Limited    Paul Gismondi    Nick Fowler	Telephone: [phone] [phone] [phone] Telephone: [phone]

About Chi-Med

Chi-Med is the holding company of a pharmaceutical and healthcare group based primarily in China and was admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in May 2006. It is focused on researching, developing, manufacturing, and selling pharmaceuticals and health oriented consumer products.

Chi-Med is majority owned by Hutchison Whampoa Limited, an international company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

 

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