China's Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, Visits Sinovac to Inspect H1N1 Vaccine Production Preparation
Emphasized Importance of Vaccine Production
On Tuesday June 2, 2009, 9:30 am EDT
BEIJING, June 2 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NYSE Amex: SVA), a leading developer and provider of vaccines in China, announced today that China's Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, accompanied with State Councilor and Secretary of the State Council, Ma Kai; Head of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Wang Yong; Minister of Ministry of Health, Chen Zhu; Vice Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology, Liu Yanhua; Mayor of City of Beijing, Guo Jinlong; and other delegate members visited Sinovac to inspect its production preparation for a vaccine against influenza A (H1N1). Li Keqiang also emphasized the importance of having a vaccine for influenza A (H1N1) and encouraged Sinovac to step up vaccine production.
At the end of May, the US Center for Disease Control began distributing the influenza A (H1N1) virus strain to manufacturers. Once Sinovac receives the strain, we will commence production immediately.
During the visit, Li Keqiang commented that vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. He spoke positively about the country's prevention and control of the disease during the past month, and about the vital role Sinovac has to play in protecting against H1N1. He added that Sinovac is qualified manufacturer to produce influenza A (H1N1) vaccine and will be a very important force for the country in controlling the spread of this virus.
Chen Zhu, Minister of Ministry of Health, commented that Sinovac is a company which has social responsibility.
Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO of Sinovac, commented, "We were excited to showcase to China's Vice Premier our significant progress towards the production of a vaccine against the influenza A (H1N1) virus. The visit by high-ranking national officials gives us confidence that the Chinese government recognizes our capabilities. We believe that we can play a significant role in providing vaccines against influenza A (H1N1) virus. Once we receive the virus strain, we can begin production immediately."
Sinovac initiated the preparatory activities for influenza A (H1N1) vaccine production at the end of April. In May 2009, Sinovac continued to work closely with various Chinese government authorities and other global health organizations in order to monitor the disease and evaluate strategies to control and prevent its transmission. As a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), Sinovac scientists attended the May 19th WHO/UN Meeting with Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Manufacturers, which was held in Geneva to update attendees on the global capacity of influenza vaccines and ensure that the vaccines will be available to developing countries.
About Sinovac
Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is a China-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases. Sinovac's vaccine products include Healive® (hepatitis A), Bilive® (combined hepatitis A and B), and Anflu® (influenza). Panflu(TM), Sinovac's pandemic influenza vaccine (H5N1), has already been approved for government stockpiling. Sinovac is developing vaccines for enterovirus 71, universal pandemic influenza, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and human rabies vaccine. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Tangshan Yian, is conducting field trials for independently developed inactivated animal rabies vaccines.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sinovac's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward- looking statement. Sinovac does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Helen G. Yang
Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
Tel: +86-10-8289-0088 x9871
Fax: +86-10-6296-6910
Investors:
Amy Glynn/Sara Pellegrino
The Ruth Group
Tel: +1-646-536-7023/7002
Media:
Janine McCargo
The Ruth Group
Tel: +1-656-536-7033
About SINOVAC
Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (SINOVAC) is a China-based global biopharmaceutical company, with a mission of "supply vaccines to eliminate human diseases", the company specializes in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of vaccines and related biological products that protect against human infectious diseases.
The company's diversified portfolio includes vaccines for influenza, viral hepatitis, varicella, Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFMD), poliomyelitis, pneumococcal disease, etc., of which 3 vaccines have been prequalified by WHO, including inactivated hepatitis A vaccine Healive®, Sabin-strain inactivated polio vaccine (sIPV), and varicella vaccine.
SINOVAC has a leading edge in developing vaccines to combat infectious disease outbreaks and was among the first to initiate R&D during major public health emergencies, including SARS, H5N1, H1N1, and COVID-19. The company developed the world's first inactivated SARS vaccine (Phase I completed), China's first H5N1 influenza vaccine (Panflu®), the world's first H1N1 influenza vaccine (Panflu.1®), and CoronaVac®, the most widely used inactivated COVID-19 vaccine globally.
Beyond its marketed portfolio, the company is advancing a robust pipeline that includes combination vaccines,recombinant protein vaccines and next-generation platforms such as mRNA technologies and antibodies.
With a long-standing commitment to innovation and global health, SINOVAC is expanding its global footprint by strengthening partnerships with research institutions, international organizations, and local partners. Through broader market presence, technological cooperation, and localized production, the company aims to accelerate vaccine development and supply, enhance regional access to high-quality products, and better address unmet medical needs while improving preparedness for future pandemics.
For more information, please see the Company’s website at www.sinovac.com.
EN
