Opportunities in China pharma market fuel SciClone's growth and expansion

The global pharmaceutical industry is evolving dramatically. China's pharmaceutical market growth is outpacing traditional markets in the United States and Europe. US-based, China-focused SciClone Pharmaceuticals is well positioned to seize the growth opportunities in the China pharma market today and in the future.

SciClone has a growing proprietary commercial pharmaceutical business on the mainland, and through licensing and promotional arrangements with pharmaceutical partners. Marketing multiple branded and therapeutically differentiated products, SciClone focuses on oncology, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. A key strategy is to build on its reputation as a "partner of choice" and establish additional partnerships to expand its product portfolio.

SciClone has successfully built its commercial business in China over two decades. Its proprietary flagship product ZADAXIN is approved in more than 30 countries and is used primarily for the treatment of hepatitis B and C, liver cancer, as a vaccine adjuvant, and potentially for sepsis. SciClone has also established long-term promotional deals with global drug leaders, including Pfizer and Baxter, and many in-licensing deals. Last year, SciClone in-licensed two novel cardiovascular products, from Zensun (Shanghai) Science & Technology and Taiwan Liposome Company, respectively. Its lead development product, DC Bead, licensed from BTG, has been approved by the China Food and Drug Administration for cancer.

Among SciClone's strengths are its experienced management teams in the US and China, and its unwavering commitment to compliance throughout its business. SciClone employs more than 500 sales and marketing professionals in China.

"We have built our organisation to support our currently marketed products, and to enable the strategic expansion of our portfolio," says Dr Friedhelm Blobel, president and CEO. "The quality and breadth of our compliance programme is a major competitive advantage, and increases our attractiveness for companies that want to market their products in China by working with a partner with a reputation for integrity and providing high-quality products that conform to Western standards of excellence."

With its broad expertise in managing product approval, pricing and marketing, and prudent fiscal management, SciClone is strategically building its China pharma market presence.