Tianyin Pharma Wins Approval for Much-Needed Constipation Drug

Tianyin Pharmaceutical (TPI) received a production license for Tongbianling Capsules, a generic TCM treatment for constipation, in a dosage of 0.25 gram/capsule. The company plans to launch the new product in February 2009.

Tianyin Pharma said constipation is a common problem among China’s elderly population. Its incidence in people over the age of 60 is between 15% and 30%. Tianyin said about 45 million Chinese use laxatives regularly.

Tianyin, which operates on a June 30 fiscal year, also reiterated its fiscal year 2009 guidance. The company expects its revenues will exceed $46 million with net income reaching at least $7.5 million. Those targets represent a 37% increase in revenue and a 25% jump in net income.

Tianyin’s product portfolio includes 33 modernized TCMs and five generic western medicines, 22 of which are listed in the National Medicine Catalog of the National Medical Insurance Program. It owns and operates two GMP manufacturing facilities and an R&D platform supported by leading Chinese academic institutions. An additional 47 pharmaceutical products are awaiting approval. Chengdu Tianyin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. effected a reverse merger with VisCorp in January of 2008 to become a publicly traded company.

Disclosure: none.