SHANGHAI – Yabao Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., of Beijing, has entered a partnership with Eli Lilly and Co. to co-develop Lilly's leading glucokinase activator (GKA), LY2608204, for China's diabetics. Read More

SHANGHAI – Hong Kong-based Uni-Bio Science Group Ltd. (HKSE:690) said Uni-PTH, an anabolic agent that builds bone mass in postmenopausal women suffering from osteoporosis, has achieved its primary endpoint in a phase III trial. Uni-PTH could be considered a biosimilar of Forteo (teriparatide, Eli Lilly and Co.), but since China has no pathway to prove biosimilarity, Uni-Bio took the drug through its paces as if it were a new drug. Read More

SHANGHAI – As part of health care reforms, China has been piloting "zero markups" for drugs sold at hospitals for several years in a bid to reduce and rationalize the cost of health care. According to the State Council work plan, this year will see a significant expansion of the pilot, with half of all county-level hospitals and one city per province expected to have adopted the new drug pricing policy by the end of the year. Read More

HONG KONG – Starting this month, Chinese biotech companies will enjoy a 50 percent reduction in value-added tax (VAT) in China, all part of a government plan to standardize taxes across the country. Read More

HONG KONG – Underscoring the speed in which China is working to raise its drug regulations to international standard, the World Health Organization (WHO) gave the country's national vaccine regulatory system a stamp of approval in a follow-up assessment since a first inspection was done in 2011. Read More

HONG KONG – Chinese pharmaceutical conglomerate Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Sellas Clinicals Holding AG have agreed to terminate an 8-month-old $530 million deal, which covered drug candidates for diabetes and cancer. Fosun said Sellas failed to settle a payment due. Sellas said Fosun declined to renegotiate terms of the deal, proposed because Sellas is seeking to do an initial public offering (IPO) and is realigning. Read More

Sciclone Pharmaceutical Inc. is headquartered in the U.S. but it focuses its efforts in China, a market that is fast-growing and attractive, though also has its challenges. Read More

Thrombogenics NV, of Leuven, Belgium, said Jetrea (ocriplasmin) was approved in Singapore for the treatment of adults with vitreomacular traction, including when associated with macular hole of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns. Read More