Vectura Enters Respiratory Business in China

Vectura Group plc has established Tianjin Kinnovata Pharmaceutical Company Ltd in China with two partners; Tianjin KingYork Group, a leading Chinese manufacturer of corticosteroid based products and Hong Kong-based private equity investor Zendex Bio Strategy Inc.

Kinnovata will develop, manufacture and commercialise respiratory products for the domestic Chinese and other regional markets in Asia, initially using Vectura’s Clickhaler^® and Duohaler^® dry powder inhaler (DPI) technology platforms. Patient population estimates suggested a 2% overall incidence of asthma in China, affecting more than 25 million people; with COPD affecting approximately 42 million, rising to around 56 million people by 2021.

Kinnovata’s manufacturing facility will be based on KingYork’s pharmaceutical business park in Tianjin. Mr Chris Chan, previously an advisor to Zendex, has been appointed CEO of the Company.

 “There is a strong appetite in China for Western branded products and Kinnovata aims to introduce high quality affordable products made locally in China using Western technology,” Mr Chan said.

Completion of the transaction is subject to final Government clearances in China.