(March 3, 2021 – Hong Kong) China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Limited (“GP (HK)” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, stock code: 00512) is pleased to announce that“Bimatoprost Eye Drops” (specification: 9mg), an innovative ophthalmic solution independently developed by the Group, has been issued a drug registration certificate by the National Medical Products Administration of the People’s Republic of China, which is the first approved generic drug in China for this variety.
The Group always puts focus on the R&D of innovative products and advanced technologies. Sticking to patients-centered, the Group will continue to independently develop innovative products and enhance the competitiveness of its products. As one of the largest integrated enterprises specializing in the research and development, production and sales of ophthalmic drugs, the Group’s existing products cover various ocular surface diseases and ocular fundus diseases, with strong brand awareness.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in China. Currently, glaucoma is mainly divided into primary open-angle glaucoma (“POCG”) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (“PACG”). Since it may be asymptomatic, POAG is often found incidentally on a comprehensive ocular examination or a relatively late stage when the risk of irreversible vision loss is high. According to statistics from Frost & Sullivan, there are nearly 20 million glaucoma patients in China in 2019, of which POAG accounted for approximately 43.1%. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of glaucoma patients will increase to 23 million. The market potential for the diagnostics and treatment of POAG is tremendous with huge but unmet clinical demands due to the rapid increase in the number of patients and the long-term medication needs of glaucoma patients.
Bimatoprost eye drops are used to lower the intraocular pressure of patients with POAG and ocular hypertension. It is currently the first choice of drugs in the market for the treatment of POAG and ocular hypertension. According to the information obtained from Meta-analysis method, it shows that compared with prostaglandin analogs (PGA) products, the first-line therapy commonly used in the treatment of POAG, bimatoprost has exhibited better effectiveness in lowering intraocular pressure. International glaucoma treatment guidelines in places such as China, Europe, the United States, and Asia Pacific recommend that bimatoprost eye drops is the first choice for POAG monotherapy. In addition, the Group applied for three patents for its bimatoprost eye drops in Mainland China, all of which have been granted.
The Board of China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Limited, commented: “The Group has been committed to the development and introduction of innovative products and first generics in this field, which are indicated for a variety of indications with huge but unmet clinical demands such as dry eye disease and pterygium. Meanwhile, the Group is paying efforts to build an ecosystem for eye protection, and to make advancements on the research and development of ophthalmic devices and consumables. The commercialization approval of the new ophthalmic solution bimatoprost eye drops, which was independently developed by the Group, once again proved the Group’s R&D capabilities in ophthalmic drugs. At the same time, it further expands the product line in the field of ophthalmology and continuously consolidates the Group’s leading position in the industry of ophthalmic drugs. In the future, the Group will further enhance its overall competitive edges, particularly in cost efficiency and technology, and provide patients with high-quality and competitive drug options.”
