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 biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases.
SINOVAC's product portfolio includes vaccines against COVID-19, enterovirus 71 (EV71) infected Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFMD), hepatitis A, varicella, influenza, poliomyelitis, pneumococcal disease, and mumps.
The COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac®, has been approved for use in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. The hepatitis A vaccine, Healive®, passed WHO prequalification requirements in 2017. The EV71 vaccine, Inlive®, is an innovative vaccine under "Category 1 Preventative Biological Products" and was commercialized in China in 2016. In 2022, SINOVAC's Sabin-strain inactivated polio vaccine (sIPV) and varicella vaccine were prequalified by the WHO.
SINOVAC was the first company to be granted approval for its H1N1 influenza vaccine Panflu.1®, which has supplied the Chinese government's vaccination campaign and stockpiling program. The Company is also the only supplier of the H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine, Panflu®, to the Chinese government stockpiling program.
SINOVAC continually dedicates itself to new vaccine R&D, with more combination vaccine products in its pipeline, and constantly explores global market opportunities. SINOVAC plans to conduct more extensive and in-depth trade and cooperation with additional countries, and business and industry organizations.
For more information, please see the Company’s website at www.sinovac.com.
Contact:
Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
PR Team
pr@sinovac.com
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