2004-01-20 09:35:35

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is First Company in the World to Gain Approval to Conduct Clinical Trials on SARS Vaccine

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Health/Medical Writers / Business Editors BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SNVBF-- Sinovac Biotech Ltd. ("Sinovac") (OTCBB:SNVBF) is pleased to announce that it has been approved to commence clinical trials of a vaccine for SARS by SFDA (Chinese FDA). Animal tests on safety, efficacy and immunogenicity have been completed successfully. Immune response was invoked by the vaccine in all animal models. No immune enhancement was observed in any of the pre-clinical testing. Clinical protocols have been developed with the cooperation of the World Health Organization, Chinese FDA, China CDC and the China Medical Academic College. Phase I human clinical trials, testing for safety, are expected to start soon on 30 volunteers. The ultimate aim of the vaccine will be to provoke the body's immune system into action, so that it can destroy the SARS virus if infected. For further information please refer to the Company's filings with the SEC on EDGAR, or refer to Sinovac's website at www.sinovac.com. MANAGEMENT OF SINOVAC WHO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS HAS PREPARED THIS NEWS RELEASE. THIS NEWS RELEASE MAY INCLUDE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, WITH RESPECT TO ACHIEVING CORPORATE OBJECTIVES, DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL PROJECT INTERESTS, SINOVAC'S ANALYSIS OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS PROJECT INTERESTS AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS. THESE STATEMENTS ARE MADE UNDER THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES WHICH COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS NEWS RELEASE SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION. KEYWORD: INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Sinovac Biotech Ltd CONTACT INFORMATION: Sinovac Biotech Ltd Graham Taylor, 888-888 8312 or 604-684-5990 Email: info@sinovac.com Website: www.sinovac.com