Chindex International received SFDA approval for two medical devices: the daVinci S Surgical System and the AlexLaser. Although Chindex was pleased to receive the approvals, its announcement was full of complaints about the length of time required for the SFDA to process the applications. More details...

Stock Symbols: (NSDQ: CHDX) (NSDQ: ISRG) (NSDQ: CLZR)

Biofield Corp. established a Chinese national healthcare joint venture built around its breast cancer diagnostic device. The JV joins Biofield and Carelife, which is operating through its appointed agent, China International Medical Exchange Ltd. Funded with approximately $363 million, the Carelife JV will open a China network of medical clinics, call centers and data centers for R&D. By 2012, Carelife expects to open more than 500 medical clinics in China’s major cities.  More details...

Stock Symbol: (Pink Sheets: BZEC) 

Renhuang Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that its wholly-owned Traditional Chinese Medicine Extract and Innovation Laboratory was recognized as a “Key Laboratory” by the Science and Technology Institute of Heilongjiang. Renhuang’s laboratory was one of only seven labs in Heilongjiang to be given the recognition. More details...

Stock Symbol: (Pink Sheets: RHGP)

Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company reported that the offer to buy the company has been withdrawn. The offer was made by Tongjitang’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Xiaochun Wang, and a director, Mr. Yongcun Chen, who proposed buying the company at a price of $10.20 per ADS (or $2.55 per ordinary share). No reason was given for the withdrawal of the offer. The shares of Tongjitang Chinese Medicines responded by giving up almost one-third of their value. More details...

Stock Symbol: (NYSE: TCM)

Sinovac Biotech will begin enrolling volunteers in a Phase II clinical trial of its split viron pandemic influenza vaccine. The whole viron version of the vaccine has already completed its Phase II tests. The split viron candidate is being examined because it has the potential for a lower side-effect profile, and the test is, as a result, being conducted among adolescents and children. Preliminary results from the test are expected in early 2009. More details...

Stock Symbol: (AMEX: SVA)

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co Ltd., a maker of traditional Chinese medicines, will acquire the 49% of Lijiang Medicine Co. that it does not already own. With 100% ownership, Yunnan Baiyao expects better integration between the two companies and synergies of operation. More details...

Stock Symbol: (SZSE: 0005380)

WuXi PharmaTech and Covance Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will create a new joint venture to provide preclinical contract research services in China. WuXi will contribute its new Suzhou lab, currently under construction, and Covance will invest $30 million into the JV. The new facility began construction on September 29, 2007, and it is expected to be on line in 2009. It will offer GLP toxicology, drug metabolism and bioanalytical chemistry services. More details...

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: WX) (NYSE: CVD)

Microbix Biosystems Inc. will establish a joint venture to build a very large influenza vaccine facility in China with financial help from the Hunan provincial government. The $197 million facility will receive a $99 million incentive from the provincial government of Hunan, which will also purchase the first 100 million doses of vaccine. Microbix plans to raise the rest of the money from its licensing partners. More details...

Stock Symbol: (Toronto: MBX)

BioAlliance Pharma SA has licensed the China commercialization rights for Loramyc™ to NovaMed Pharmaceuticals. The deal could be worth up to $4.5 million to NovaMed in upfront and milestone payments. NovaMed will seek to win SFDA approval for the product and then market it in China. Loramyc (miconazole Lauriad®) is a muco-adhesive antifungal therapy that is already approved in some European countries for cancer patients with opportunistic infections.  More details... 

Stock Symbol: (Euronext Paris: BIO)

At the recent 2008 BIO Convention, a panel of industry experts discussed their experience with making biomedical investments in China. The title of the sessions was: Building a ‘Life Sciences Bridge’: Opportunities and Challenges in Venture Capital Investment in Asia. Many topics surfaced, including a discussion of  the beneficial effects that big pharma will have on the China talent pool.  More details...