Biohit Oyj - Company Announcement

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

Attachments:

Appendix.pdf