Biohit Oyj and Giraffes Pharmaceutical Co. to sign an Acetium distribution agreement

Biohit Oyj Biohit Oyj Stock Exchange Release July 1st , 2014 at 6:00 p.m. local time (EEST)
 

Biohit Oyj has signed a distribution agreement with Taiwanese Giraffes Pharmaceutical Co. The agreement is effective immediately and Giraffes Pharmaceutical gains exclusive rights for the distribution of Acetium capsules and lozenges in Taiwan.

The L-cysteine in Acetium capsules dissolves slowly into the gastric fluid, efficiently binding (neutralising) carcinogenic acetaldehyde in an achlorhydric stomach. This contributes to the prevention of cancer in the mouth, stomach and oesophagus.  Acetium capsules are intended e.g. for PPI users and persons suffering from an achlorhydric stomach caused by atrophy of the gastric mucosa and functional disorder (atrophic gastritis). An anacidic stomach is the most significant risk factor for stomach and oesophageal cancer. (1).

The Acetium lozenge is intended for smokers to bind acetaldehyde that dissolves in saliva during smoking. Acetaldehyde is the most important carcinogen in cigarette smoke. (2,3).

CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: “We are pleased to partner with Giraffes Pharmaceutical Co. in order to introduce acetaldehyde binding products to the Taiwanese markets as soon as the registration procedures are completed. “

CEO Sherman Jung, Giraffes Pharmaceutical Company: “Giraffes Pharmaceutical Company has over 50 years of history in sales and marketing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and health foods in Taiwan. We are proud to announce our new partnership with Biohit in order to bring the Acetium product family into our domestic market. Upper digestive tract cancers represent over 20% of all cancers in Taiwan. Hence acetaldehyde related diseases create a tremendous burden to the overall healthcare expenses, and with the introduction of Acetium, we hope to improve the population’s quality of life. For example 20% of Taiwanese adults, and 7.6% of college students are smokers. Also, some 40% - 60% of Taiwanese population have a specific mutation in the key enzyme involved in acetaldehyde metabolism, i.e., aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), resulting in a situation where acetaldehyde formed e.g. after alcohol intake is not normally degraded.” (4).

On-going clinical studies involving the Acetium capsule and lozenge include the following:
Clinical intervention trial with Acetium® lozenge aimed at smoking cessation, read more at http://goo.gl/2vcvbt.
Two clinical trials with Acetium® capsule for prevention of migraine-type headache, read more at http://goo.gl/PjmFKc.

References:

(1) Sipponen P et al (1985) Gastric cancer risk in chronic atrophic gastritis: statistical calculations of cross-sectional data. Int J Cancer 1985;35:173–177.

(2) Haussmann H-J (2012) Use of hazard indices for a theoretical evaluation of cigarette smoke composition. Chem Res Toxicol 2012;25:794-810.

(3) Burns DM et al (2008) Mandated lowering of toxicants in cigarette smoke: a description of the World Health Organization TobReg proposal. Tob Control 2008;17:132-41.

(4) Boccia S. et al (2009) Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 and head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis implementing a Mendelian randomization approach. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009; 18:248-54.

Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com

Biohit in brief

Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com

Giraffes Pharma Group in brief

For the last five decades, Giraffes has built a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable pharmaceutical company in Taiwan and is considered a Golden Standard in the pharmaceutical industry, by providing high quality products at competitive pricing. www.giraffes-pharma.com