Uni-Bio Science In Multiple Drug Co-Development Deal With Beijing Sun-Novo

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Mr. Kingsley Leung, Executive Director of Uni-Bio Science (left) and Mr. Li Qian, Chairman of Beijing Sun-Novo (right) sign a multiple drug co-development deal.

HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwired - December 01, 2016) -

Uni-Bio Science Group Limited (“Uni-Bio Science” or the “Group"; HKEx code: 690) has today announced that it has signed a multiple drug co-development deal with Beijing Sun-Novo Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Sun-Novo”), a China-based company engaged in research and development (R&D), manufacturing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, to extend Uni-Bio’s current R&D capabilities in small molecule drug development. This cooperation includes co-development of various oral anti-diabetes drugs (“OAD”) to build a comprehensive diabetes treatment portfolio for the Group, which would represent an all-encompassing strategy in satisfying the unmet needs in treatment of this increasingly prevalent disease.

The first co-development project of the two companies is to develop high quality Acarbose tablets for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, an emerging and increasingly important diabetes treatment in China. Under this collaboration, Beijing Sun-Novo is to be responsible for completing the chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) processes and the bioequivalence study of Acarbose, as well as transferring the production technology to Uni-Bio Science’s subsidiary. On the other hand, Uni-Bio Science is to apply for drug licenses from the China Food and Drug Administration with support from Beijing Sun-Novo and commercialize the product once it is approved. The project is targeted to start in 2017 and launch sales in the market around 2020 to 2021.

Mr. Kingsley Leung, Executive Director of Uni-Bio Science, said, “Our cooperation with Beijing Sun-Novo is an exciting opportunity to realize our goal quickly of becoming an industry-leading expert in diabetes management. With the incidence of diabetes reaching epidemic levels in China and across the world, there is a need for a wider range of treatment options to better manage this long-term chronic condition. This multiple co-development deal can strengthen our R&D capabilities and enhance our current positioning of our portfolio to meet the increasing market demand. We are planning to collaborate on various OAD to satisfy unmet medical needs, and Acarbose is another important component of a comprehensive diabetes product strategy targeting 1st-to-4th line of treatment within the Chinese treatment guideline. As this collaboration progresses, we hope to develop two or more OADs that can further complement our existing diabetes portfolio of Mitiglinide and rExtendin-4 (Uni-E4).”

Mr. Li Qian, Chairman of Beijing Sun-Novo, said, “Uni-Bio Science and Beijing Sun-Novo, as strategic partners, will strive to introduce medical innovations that improve treatment efficacy and the quality of living of diabetics in China and also to cooperate in depth on diabetes, dermatological and ophthalmological products in the future through upholding the principles of working as one and aiming for win-win outcomes. With a seasoned R&D team, the company has developed a sound quality testing and control system, forged a complete industry chain integrating production operations and aligned R&D to ensure efficient cooperation in compliance with all rules and regulations. We believe the complementary partnership will help enhance the value of Beijing Sun-Novo and boost our strengths in innovation and R&D while injecting new impetus into Uni-Bio Science, and together we may welcome a new era for pharmaceuticals as we both benefit. We will strive to build a new platform for furthering cooperation, development and exchanges in areas including resources allocation, business integration, workflow and service coverage, thereby generating synergies and improving innovation capabilities, for the goal of achieving strategic breakthroughs in development. "

Acarbose is an oral anti-diabetic drug which belongs to the Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (“AGI”) class. It is used to treat Type 2 diabetes and is reimbursed under the National Reimbursement Drug List (“NRDL”). In terms of diabetes treatment, AGI is important for the early stage of diabetes. It targets patients with pre-diabetes condition who need to be treated early, and those with post prandial hyperglycemia under control.

According to IMS China Data, AGI is uniquely positioned within China’s diabetes guidelines, maintaining around 18% of China’s anti-diabetes drug market in 2012 to 2015, which is especially effective for Asian patients with a high-carbohydrate diet content. Acarbose has the largest market share at 87.8% in China’s AGI market in 2015, which represents a market size of RMB3.4 billion. Meanwhile, the domestic sales revenue of Acarbose increased at a compound annual growth rate of 10.3% from 2012 to 2015, which clearly shows the enormous potential and promising growth opportunities of the drug in the market.

About Uni-Bio Science Group Limited (SEHK: 0690)
Uni-Bio Science Group Limited is principally engaged in the research and development, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products. The research and development center located in Dongguan, PRC is fully equipped with a complete system for the development of genetically-engineered products with a pilot plant test base which is in line with CFDA requirements. The Group also has two GMP manufacturing bases in Beijing and Shenzhen. The Group is focused on the development of novel treatments addressing the therapeutic areas of diabetes, ophthalmology and dermatology.

About Beijing Sun-Novo Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd.
Beijing Sun-Novo Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech company with international ISO9001:2008 quality management certification. With a 1,200 sq.m. laboratory and an R&D team comprising more than 70 professionals, the Company is well-positioned as a high-tech enterprise focusing on the R&D of pharmaceutical technologies and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (“API”) intermediate trading. It strives to conduct innovative research and provide contract services in relation to pharmaceutical technologies riding on its advantages in R&D for new medicines and a commercialization model. The Company also has its own professional team and standardized laboratory for conducting R&D of new medicines, industrial production and API trading. Its core businesses cover R&D for chemical formulas of medicines, transfer of expertise and cooperation, API intermediate production and trading, clinical research services and import registration.