GlaxoSmithKline granted a license to Simcere in 2006 to make products containing zanamivir. Simcere is reportedly the only pharmaceutical company in mainland China that has such a license.
Xiaojin Yin, senior vice president of R&D at Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, said: “We look forward to obtaining the approval to manufacture and sell zanamivir in China. To this end, we have already begun to prepare the raw materials and manufacturing facilities required to launch this drug.”