Kaibao Pharma secures patent for swine flu TCM
Shanghai. February 15. INTERFAX-CHINA - Shanghai Kaibao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has secured a patent from China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) for an exclusive traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Tan Re Qing injection, which is recommended by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to treat severe cases of swine flu, the company announced Feb. 14.
The company's patented preparation method produces a purer version of the extract used in the preparation of the drug compared to traditional methods, the announcement said. It originally applied for the patent in October 2005.
"This winter's ongoing swine flu outbreak will boost sales of the injection," an investor relations representative who wished to remain anonymous told Interfax Feb. 15.
According to Kaibao Pharma's 2009 annual report, sales of the injection for the year hit RMB 450 million ($68.30 million), or 98.3 percent of the company's total sales in 2009. Tan Re Qing injection is also used to treat respiratory infections and relieve fever.
Kaibao Pharma plans to expand annual production capacity for Tan Re Qing injection to 45 million doses by 2012, the company said December 2009 in a listing prospectus for Shenzhen's Growth Enterprise Market (GEM).
- MS