Genuine Biotech and Fosun Pharma Enter into Strategic Collaboration Agreement for Joint Development and Exclusive Commercialization of Azvudine

On Jul. 26, 2022, Henan Genuine Biotech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Genuine Biotech") announced a strategic partnership with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Fosun Pharma", stock code: 600196.SH; 02196.HK). The two companies will jointly develop Azvudine, which will be exclusively commercialized by Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial, a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma. And the areas of partnership include treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and HIV. Both parties will leverage their respective strengths for commercialization and cooperation in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) and potentially globally beyond China's interests (excluding Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, and other South American countries and regions) in the future. Genuine Biotech is mainly responsible for organizing the production and supply of cooperation products in China.

Azvudine tablet is an oral small molecule drug independently developed in China for the treatment of COVID-19. On Jul. 20, 2021, the National Medical Products Administration granted conditional approval for the use of Genuine Biotech's Azvudine tablet in combination with other reverse transcriptase inhibitors for adult patients with high viral load of HIV-1 infection. On Jul. 25, 2022, the National Medical Products Administration granted contingent conditional approval for indication expansion to the treatment in adult patients infected with common COVID-19.

Dr. Du Jinfa, CEO and CSO of Genuine Biotech, said, "We are very pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Fosun Pharma. As the first domestic oral drug approved for COVID-19 in China, Azvudine is anticipated to provide strong support for the scientific prevention and control of the pandemic, safeguard the health of the Chinese population, and contribute to a rapid global victory over the COVID-19 pandemic. For 10 years, Genuine Biotech has always adhered to a realistic and pragmatic approach in research to improve human health. Looking ahead, Genuine Biotech will continue to adhere to its business philosophy of "pragmatic, innovative, pioneering, and responsible" in order to discover newer and better therapeutic solutions to meet unmet clinical needs and to maximize the value of innovative drugs in a broader scope for the benefit of patients."

Wen Deyong, CEO of Fosun Pharma, said, "At present, the constant mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to repeated outbreaks around the world. Vaccines and drugs are still powerful weapons against the virus. Azvudine Tablet is the first approved Chinese oral drug for COVID-19. I believe that its approval for marketing will further strengthen the prevention and control of the pandemic. With the mission of bringing wellness to every family, Fosun Pharma actively engages in corporate social responsibility, places patients first, responds to clinical needs, continues to increase R&D investment, and strives to build an innovative product matrix from prevention, detection, and treatment. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Genuine Biotech and will continue to promote joint development for COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Fosun Pharma hopes to make full use of its innovation and commercialization capabilities, and international advantages accumulated over the years to bring Azvudine tablet, a small molecule oral drug independently developed in China, to more patients around the world, thereby effectively addressing the demand for first-line clinical use, and assisting in the prevention and control of the pandemic."