China's Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, Visits Sinovac to Inspect H1N1 Vaccine Production Preparation
June 02 2009 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Emphasized Importance of Vaccine Production 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(R) (hepatitis A), Bilive(R) (combined
hepatitis A and B), and Anflu(R) (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 Email: Investors: Amy Glynn/Sara Pellegrino The
Ruth Group Tel: +1-646-536-7023/7002 Email: Media: Janine McCargo
The Ruth Group Tel: +1-656-536-7033 Email: DATASOURCE: Sinovac
Biotech Ltd. CONTACT: Helen G. Yang of Sinovac Biotech Ltd.,
+86-10-8289-0088 x9871, fax, +86-10-6296-6910, or ; Investors: Amy
Glynn/Sara Pellegrino of The Ruth Group, +1-646-536-7023/7002, or ,
; Media: Janine McCargo of The Ruth Group, +1-656- 536-7033, or
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