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)

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)

China Sky One Medical announced SFDA approval for another four new topically applied products. China Sky One put the expected market for each product between $2 million and $2.4 million. China Sky One has become a virtual press release industry, all by itself. Earlier this month, it announced the approval of five new patch products. Then, one week later, China Sky One acquired Peng Lai Jin Chuang Company, bringing along its portfolio of 20 approved products to put under the care of China Sky One. More details...

Stock Symbol: (AMEX: CSY)

A 13-member scientific team from Hong Kong University has identified a three-drug cocktail that quadrupled the survival rate of mice with H5N1 avian flu. The cocktail combines an antiviral drug with two drugs that suppress the deadly inflammatory immune response to the virus. In the mice tests, the cocktail produced a survival rate of 53.3% and a survival time of 13.3 days. That was a four-fold improvement on using the antiviral by itself (13.3%, 8.4 days), or no treatment (0%, 6.6 days). More details...

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: GSK) (NYSE: PFE) (NYSE: MRK)

A traditional Chinese medicine, red yeast rice, has been shown in a randomized, five-year study to reduce the risk of repeat heart attacks by 45%, cardiovascular mortality by 33% and cancer mortality by 66%. Red yeast rice is fermented with a mold called Monascus purpureus. It has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The results of the trial will appear in the June 15 issue of the peer-reviewed journal, The American Journal of Cardiology.  More details...

China Sky One Medical, Inc. was granted SFDA approval for two new drugs: Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Nasal Drops and Taurine Eye Drops. Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Nasal Drops are indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Taurine Eye Drops are approved for the treatment of acute and chronic conjunctivitis. Both rhinitis and conjunctivitis are common in China, especially in colder regions. More details...

Stock Symbols: (OTCBB: CSKI)

Sinobiomed Inc. will begin a Phase II clinical trial of its malaria vaccine candidate, PfCP2.9, in Thailand in Q3 2008. Thailand is currently experiencing a malaria epidemic. In its Phase I trial, which was completed in 2004, PfCP2.9 generated a strong immune response with only mild side effects. In January 2008, Sinobiomed was awarded a 9 million RMB ($1.2 million) government grant for PfCP2.9 as part of China’s 863 Program that encourages technologically innovative products. More details...

Stock Symbol: (OTCBB: SOBM)

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group received SFDA approval for a first-to-market generic Biapenem injection, an antibiotic that it will market under the brand name Anxin. Biapenem is a member of the carbenicillin family, and it will compete in the marketplace against brand-name drugs such as Tienam from Merck and Mepem from Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals. Carbenicillins are used in patients who have developed resistance to other antibiotics.  More details...

Stock Symbols: (NYSE: SCR) (NYSE: MRK)

BMP Sunstone Corporation said its Clinical Trial Application for Enablex® (Darifenacin) was accepted by the SFDA, allowing the company to begin clinical trials of the treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). BMP will start human trials in the first half of 2009 and expects that approval will follow sometime in 2011. Novartis, which owns Enablex, signed an agreement with BMP Sunstone in November 2007, authorizing the company to seek marketing approval for the drug. If the drug is approved for use in China, BMP Sunstone will have ten years of marketing exclusivity for Enablex. More details...

Stock Symbols: (NSDQ: BJGP) (NYSE: NVS) (NYSE: PFE) 

Takara Bio Inc. of Japan has begun a collaboration with Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, under which Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital has initiated clinical research of a cancer immunotherapy developed by Takara. The new immunotherapy uses RetroNectin®, Takara’s proprietary recombinant human fibronectin, to expand T-cells. More details...

Stock Symbol: (TSE: 4974)