CBI member, AstraZeneca has announced that it has partnered with a Shandong-based herbal supplements manufacturer, Luye Pharma Group, to launch a traditional Chinese heart remedy designed to lower cholesterol.
The launch of the new supplement serves as the first outcome of an MoU agreed between the two companies to “Promote the modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine and promote traditional Chinese medicine to the world,” and signed in May earlier this year.
Central to the MoU was an agreement to form a new strategic partnership to explore the opportunities for the export of XueZhiShang capsules - the name of the herbal remedy – in global markets other than China.
Leon Wang, Executive Vice-President International and President of AstraZeneca China said: “Chinese medicine is an outstanding representative of Chinese civilisation. It has not only made incredible contributions to the Chinese nation, but it has also had a positive impact on global civilisations. Both in China and in the rest of the world, Chinese medicine has broad prospects for development. [AstraZeneca] hope to join hands with excellent Chinese enterprises and academic experts to explore the high potential for the modernisation of Chinese medicine, realise its heritage and innovation, and jointly explore international paths for Chinese medicine globally to improve human health.”
Retailing at £2.50 a pack, the dietary supplement predominantly consists of red yeast rice. Through partnering with Luye Pharma Group, AstraZeneca has become the first multinational drugs manufacturer to obtain exclusive promotion rights for a Chinese drug..
Red yeast rice reportedly produces a lipid-regulating compound as it ferments in reaction to elements in the human body. In clinical trials, it lowered “bad cholesterol” by 45% when combined with the statin, Ezetimibe.
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