Can-Fire Biopharma Ltd., of Petach Tikva, Israel, was granted Japanese Patent No. 5467872, “Process for the Synthesis of IB-MECA.” The patent covers a method for the chemical synthesis of the A3 adenosine receptor agonist, IB-MECA, the active pharmaceuticals ingredient. Read More

Wuxi Pharmatech Inc., of Shanghai, appointed Hua Mu senior vice president of operations and global head of the product development service and partnership business unit. Mu received his medical degree from West China University of Medical Sciences and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of California at Berkeley. Read More

China Biologic Products Inc., of Beijing, said it completed the repurchase of 2.5 million shares of common stock for $70 million. The company announced in January that it had entered a repurchase agreement with Siu Ling Chan, an individual shareholder of the company, and her spouse Tung Lam, to repurchase 2.5 million shares of its common stock, representing approximately 9.67 percent of the total common stock outstanding on Jan. 27. Read More

SHANGHAI – Bayer AG is buying Dihon Pharmaceutical Group Co. located China’s southwest Yunnan province. Privately held Dihon makes OTC and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) sold in China and Southeast Asia. Read More

TAIPEI, Taiwan – For Western biopharmaceutical executives seeking an entry point into Asia, Taiwan may be a good gateway. And for Taiwanese innovators in need of outside partners to back still under-the-radar drug candidates: be more aggressive. Those were a few of the messages heard at the second annual Biologics World Taiwan conference here. Read More

HONG KONG – A Chinese biotechnology company is leading a group of investors, including many of its own top executives, in a joint venture to develop a sought-after drug used to regenerate skin cells in burn victims. Read More

HONG KONG – After a rocky year for many biopharma companies in China hit hard by bribery investigations companies may find some hopeful points in the overall trend of stricter supervision and punishment in the government’s list of priorities for health care enforcement. Read More

SHANGHAI – Privately held Shanxi Taxus Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Shenzhen Forntsea Taxus Industry Capital Management, will acquire majority shares in innovative drug developer Cardium Therapeutics Inc. (CRXM), of San Diego, for $5 million in cash. Read More