Dr. Howard Verrico reports

SIRONA BIOCHEM ANNOUNCES CFDA APPROVAL OF SGLT2 INHIBITOR FOR PHASE I CLINICAL TRIAL

Sirona Biochem Corp. partner Jiangsu Wanbang Biopharmaceuticals has confirmed the investigational new drug (IND) submission to China's Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for its SGLT2 inhibitor was approved for clinical trial. Wanbang will be entering a phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. The CFDA approval triggers a $500,000 (U.S.) milestone payment to Sirona Biochem.

Sirona Biochem's SGLT2 inhibitor, TFC-039, was licensed to Wanbang's parent company, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceuticals, in 2014 with rights for China. Since the initial licensing agreement, Fosun Pharma has invested more than 29 million renminbi toward the development of the SGLT2 inhibitor.

According to the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization, China now has some of the highest rates of diabetes cases, affecting 110 million people, or 11 per cent of the population. Over 90 per cent of the cases are Type 2 diabetes.

"Wanbang has been very dedicated to this project and we are pleased to be advancing to the clinic with the compound," said Dr. Howard Verrico, chief executive officer. "With the surging rates of diabetes in China, there remains a need for new therapies. TFC-039 will be able to enter this market as a once-daily drug or add-on therapy for the many people struggling with this disease."

About Jiangsu Wanbang Biopharmaceuticals

Jiangsu Wanbang Pharmaceuticals manufactures and sells a variety of products including those for chronic disease treatment, antibiotics and other endocrine diseases. Parent company Fosun Pharma is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry and regarded as one of the top five domestic pharmaceutical companies in China.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.

Sirona's compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments.

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