Sinovac Biotech Ltd. Receives Approval To Commence Human Clinical Trials For Pandemic Influenza Vaccine

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 2005--Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (AMEX:SVA) announced the China State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) approved commencement of human clinical trials for Sinovac's Pandemic Influenza (H5N1, bird flu) Vaccine ("prototype"). In response to the severe nature a potential pandemic based on the avian virus, the SFDA fast-tracked Sinovac's October 21st, 2005 application in one month. The SFDA's regulatory agency for drug and biological products validation, the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products (NICPBP), closely monitored and tested Sinovac's vaccine throughout the preclinical phase. Sinovac plans to initiate clinical trials as soon as possible.