BELLEVILLE, ON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:
BNC) (ASX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian
biopharmaceutical company, today announced that one of its equine
products - HIPPIRONTM 1000 - has been counterfeited, and was discovered being sold via an Internet
website. Regulatory authorities and veterinarian customers have been
advised of this situation, along with the elements of the counterfeited
product that clearly distinguish it from legitimate HIPPIRON 1000.
HIPPIRON 1000 from Bioniche fully complies with regulatory standards and is safe for
use as recommended. Bioniche sells this injectable iron-sucrose product
exclusively to veterinarians and it is the only licensed product of its
kind available for veterinary use in Canada.
Any veterinarians or veterinary clients with questions about the
integrity of the HIPPIRON 1000 in their possession should contact:
Dr. Duncan Hockley
Director, Veterinary Services
Bioniche Animal Health
1-800-265-5464 ext. 1403
Duncan.Hockley@Bioniche.com
"Bioniche is working with the investigating authorities to ensure that
no damage results from this counterfeit version of our product," said
Andrew Grant, President of Bioniche Animal Health (Global). "This type
of illegal activity cannot be tolerated. Bioniche invests heavily in
quality control measures to ensure that only high quality, regulatory
compliant products are sold to veterinarians." Bioniche plans to
prosecute any individual involved in the manufacturing, marketing,
and/or labelling of counterfeited product.
About HIPPIRONTM 1000
HIPPIRONTM 1000 is an iron-sucrose product for horses that is administered by I.V.
injection. It is widely used to treat iron deficiency (equine anaemia).
It has been registered with Health Canada and meets all regulatory
guidelines for manufacture, testing, and quality assurance. More than
one million doses have been administered to horses since the product
was launched with no adverse reactions reported. The product is sold
exclusively to veterinarians.
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven
Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary and innovative
products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The
fully-integrated company employs more than 200 skilled personnel and
has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food
Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop and commercialize
products that advance human or animal health and increase shareholder
value.
Bioniche Animal Health develops, manufactures and markets veterinary
biopharmaceutical products worldwide. In North America, it has
development, manufacturing and marketing facilities in Belleville,
Ontario, Canada, Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. and Pullman, Washington,
U.S.A. In Australia, business is conducted from two sites: Sydney, New
South Wales, where sales and marketing, customer support and technical
service are located; and Armidale, New South Wales, where research,
development and manufacturing facilities are located.
For more information, please visit www.Bioniche.com.
Except for historical information, this news release may contain
forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited
to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of
clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, new product development,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and
annual reporting.
SOURCE Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.