Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd. has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the development of a large-scale semi-synthetic Artemisinin process
In July 2018, Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd (“CPRI”), the Research and Development platform of Fosun Pharma, was awarded with 450,000 USD from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (“Gates Foundation”), a non-profit organization, for the development of a semi-synthetic Artemisinin manufacturing process.
Malaria is one of the leading fatal infectious diseases in the world. According to the 2017 World Malaria Report from WHO (World Health Organization), about half of the population in 91 countries around the world are still threatened by malaria, with 216 million malaria cases and 445 thousand malaria deaths reported at the end of 2016. New artemisinin-based combination therapy is used as the first-line treatment for malaria in over 80 countries.
Synbiowatch has reported that the global production volume of Artemisinin is approximately 200 metric tons/year, approximately 80% of which is derived from Artemisia crops and manufactured in China. At present, the production of artemisinin is limited by price fluctuations, complex extraction process, and environmental and ecological protection. The realization of a chemical synthesis and industrial production of artemisinin has been a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical industry around the world.
CPRI has recently developed a semi-synthetic batch process for the manufacture of Artemisinin. The process was successfully demonstrated on a 300 L scale. CPRI is committed to further develop the process using continuous flow reactor technology to improve the manufacturing efficiency, and reduce the cost for commercial production.
Fosun Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical company in the world specialized in the research, development and manufacturing of antimalarial drugs. At present, Fosun Pharma has supplied 100 million vials of Artesun® (Artesunate for injection 60 mg) worldwide, which are estimated to have cured more than 20 million patients with severe malaria, among which most are African children under five.
About Fosun Pharma
Established in 1994, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“Fosun Pharma”; stock code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK) is a leading healthcare group in the PRC. Dedicated to the mission of improving human health, Fosun Pharma’s business covers all key sectors of healthcare industry chain, including pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, healthcare services, medical devices and medical diagnosis, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and retail.
About CPRI
Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd. (CPRI), is a comprehensive research institute, jointly established by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., to develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products. Over the past twenty years, CPRI has completed over 200 projects related to National “Seventh Five-Year Plan”, “Eighth Five-Year Plan”, “Eleventh Five-Year Plan”, “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”, “863” Project, and key Chongqing’s research projects and SciTech Planning projects. CPRI is the recipient of 30 Science and Technology achievement awards at national and provincial levels. CPRI is recognized nationally as a “Chongqing High-tech Enterprise”, “Chongqing Chemical Pharmaceutical Engineering Technical Research Center” and “National Enterprise Technical Center”.
