China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited (hereinafter “CR Pharma”) signed a legally binding strategic cooperation agreement with Hefei Tianmai Biotechnology Development Co. Ltd. (hereinafter “Tianmai Biotech”) on November 30th, 2016. Under the cooperation agreement, both parties are to commence in-depth cooperation in the field of recombinant human insulin leveraging their respective strengths to develop recombinant insulin protein technology and product lines. This marks a major milestone in CR Pharma’s strategic development in the biopharmaceutical area.

As a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the R&D, production and sales of a series of insulin products, Tianmai Biotech has a well-established roadmap for insulin product lines. It has completed the development of technologies and products in relation to the second generation recombinant human insulin and third generation long-acting insulin analogs (including insulin glargine and a new type of long-acting insulin analog) in China. Among which, the R&D of its second-generation recombinant human insulin is at the forefront among the manufacturers of the drug. It has applied for the Certificate of Commercial Production in relation to recombinant human insulin injections, which are expected to be launched in 2017. Meanwhile, Tianmai Biotech has planned the course of development for the third generation rapid-acting insulin analogs such as insulin aspart and insulin lispro.

According to the statistics of IMS Health Inc. (“IMS”), a leading global market intelligence resources company specializing in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, the global market for insulin exceeded US$20 billion in 2014, with the domestic market in China accounting for approximately US$1.5 billion. IMS expects that by 2030, the global market for insulin will reach US$63 billion while China’s market will be around US$12 billion. Thus, insulin continues to enjoy strong market demand with immense growth potential in the future. Moreover, the trend of domestically manufactured products gradually replacing imported brands has been well established. CR Pharma believes the strategic cooperation with Tianmai Biotech enables both parties to realize their respective advantages in resources and technology so as to further broaden the insulin product offerings in Mainland China. They will collaborate to explore opportunities of the insulin market in Mainland China and to develop Tianmai Biotech into an outstanding Chinese enterprise in the insulin area.