BIOTECH SIGNS LICENSING AGREEMENT TO DISTRIBUTE ITS
DIABETES DRUG, DIAB II, IN BRAZIL
VANCOUVER, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - Robert B. Rieveley, President of Biotech
Holdings Ltd. (''Biotech''), is pleased to announce that Biotech has signed a
licensing agreement for the registration and distribution of Biotech's Type II
Diabetes drug, DIAB II, in Brazil. Under the agreement signed September 29,
1998, Biotech has granted a seven-year license to Biobras S.A., a
pharmaceutical firm based in Brazil.
Biobras is the fourth-largest insulin producer in the world and has over
75% of the insulin market in Brazil. The company has been manufacturing and
distributing products for diabetes care for over four decades.
Under the licensing agreement, Biotech and Biobras will cooperate in the
preparation of a registration dossier for DIAB II in Brazil. In conjunction
with the registration application, it is anticipated that a supplemental
clinical trial will be initiated in Brazil to confirm results presented in the
registration dossier.
Biobras will also assist in obtaining the support of the medical
community throughout Brazil. Biobras will participate in medical symposia and
present information on the scientific profile and medical advantages of DIAB
II. Due to its close association with the diabetes market, Biobras sales
representatives visit on a monthly basis every endocrinologist in Brazil as
well as regularly calling on general practitioners with diabetic patients.
World Health Organization estimates indicate over 5 million cases of Type
II Diabetes in Brazil, where the illness affects over 10% of those over 40
years of age.
DIAB II is an insulin-receptor sensitizer which alleviates the symptoms
of Type II Diabetes by improving the patient's ability to absorb insulin,
whether endogenous or injected. Laboratory and clinical studies indicate that
DIAB II is effective and very safe and is free of the toxicity and
carcinogenic profile associated with some insulin-sensitizing drugs.
To date, only two insulin sensitizers have received approval anywhere in
the world. One of these is DIAB II, which has received regulatory approval in
China as a prescription drug for Type II Diabetes and Impaired Glucose
Tolerance. The other currently approved insulin-sensitizer has been the
subject of a large number of adverse reaction reports and an FDA warning
regarding potential hepatic toxicity.
Due to the fact that there have been no reports of problematic side
effects with DIAB II since the marketing of Biotech's drug began in China in
early 1997, Biotech's subsidiary in China has applied for inclusion of DIAB II
on the government's list of drugs covered by the national health plan. Biotech
projects that inclusion will significantly increase the use of DIAB II in this
market.
Diabetes is one of the major diseases afflicting humans in societies
around the world. Biotech, working with strong partners such as Biobras SA,
looks forward to bringing DIAB II to a growing number of national markets.
Biotech Holdings Ltd. is based in Vancouver, British Columbia and has its
laboratory and plant facility in Richmond, B.C.
Biotech Holdings trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board in the
United States (OTC BB symbol: BIOHF) and on the Alberta Stock Exchange (ASE
symbol: BIO).
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