VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 19, 2010) - Artepharm Global Corp. (the “Company”) (OTCBB: ARGC) (www.artepharmglobal.com) is pleased to announce a joint venture with Artepharm Co. Ltd. (Artepharm China), a mid-sized pharmaceutical and biotech company based in Guangzhou, China, who have successfully developed and patented a drug that is effective as both a malaria cure and prevention method.
The anti-malarial drug, Artequick®, is currently being marketed in 11 countries where the incident rate of malaria is high. This is an affordable four-pill treatment, which is sufficient to both cure and prevent even the latest strains of malaria. For 2009, Artepharm China generated approximately US$1.5 million. Under the terms of the joint venture, Artepharm Global will acquire the global marketing rights and hold the global patents for the drug Artequick®, as well as retain all the revenues generated from continuing sales in exchange for 40 million shares of the Company.
The Artequick® anti-malarial drug was developed as a highbred of Chinese natural medicine and modern western pharmaceutical technology. The active ingredient in Artequick® is artemisinin, a plant that is indigenous to China and has been utilized as malaria treatment since the 1600’s. While artemisinin has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, the Artequick® delivery system was developed using the latest in modern western pharmaceutical technology. This integration of eastern and western medicine is a new approach to developing efficacious drugs and could mark the beginning of a massive shift in the global pharmaceutical industry.
In March 2009, the TV news show Dateline (Australia) aired an 18-minute documentary on Artepharm China’s work in eradicating malaria on the island of Moheli, in the Comoros Islands off the east coast of Africa. Just months after the Moheli project was launched in November 2007, the island’s malaria infection rate dropped rapidly from 22% to 2%. Within the year leading up to this documentary, there were no deaths attributed to malaria. The full documentary can be viewed at http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/600026/n/The-Last-Bite or on our website at www.artepharmglobal.com.
Malaria infects over half a billion people each year and causes 3,000 deaths a day. With over 40% percent of the world’s population living in areas where malaria is endemic, the vast majority also living in a state of poverty, the market for an inexpensive malaria cure is immeasurable and Artequick® is an optimal solution. Artepharm Global is positioned to positively alter the effect malaria has on the world today.
About Artepharm Global
Artepharm Global has acquired the patent and worldwide marketing rights for Artequick®, a natural artemisinin-based anti-malaria drug developed by Artepharm Co. Artepharm Co. is a modern pharmaceutical company involved in R&D and the manufacturing of artemisinin-based anti-malarias and anti-viral traditional Chinese medicines. It was jointly established by a group of experts specializing in the research of Qinghao, commonly known as Artemisia annua. For more information got to www.artepharmglobal.com.
Safe Harbour and Forward Looking Statements
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes “forward-looking statements” as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as “forward-looking statements”. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.
Forward looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, the risks and uncertainties outlined in our most recent financial statements and reports and registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (available at www.sec.gov) and with Canadian securities administrators (available at www.sedar.com). Such risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC, such as the ability to obtain additional financing, the effect of economic and business conditions, the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and factors outside the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. Although the Company believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance those beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the SEC. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of the Company nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Contacts:
Artepharm Global Corp.
604-575-3552
604-575-3559 (FAX)
info@artepharmglobal.com
www.artepharmglobal.com
