A local website has been sued by Biostime France, a leading pharmaceutical company, for publishing an article which claims that "Biostime products are not developed in France".

The www.315ts.net, a Guangzhou-based non-governmental website, published an article in 2005, claiming that "Biostime probiotic sachet for children", a key Biostime product on sale in China, is not researched and developed in France, and there is no such company called "Biostime" in France.

"Yes, we are located in a small town in France and the product of Biostime probiotic sachet for children is only exported to China. But we are here to clarify that all products on the Chinese market are researched and produced in France," Ulrich Irgens, business director Asia of Biostime France, told a press conference yesterday in Guangzhou.

According to Irgens, all Biostime products on the Chinese market are researched and developed in a R&D centre of Lallemand Group, a share holder of Biostime France in Toulouse, and then exported to China.

"Lallemand has a history of more than 90 years in researching and developing probiotic products. And our products on the Chinese market are all promoted and managed by Biostime Inc Guangzhou," Irgens said.

He said Biostime France is currently constructing a probiotic GMP (good manufacturing practice) factory, which is expected to be put into operation at the end of this year in Guangzhou.

He said Biostime was granted a health food license by China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) early in 2002 for the probiotic product.

"Besides being exported to the Chinese market through strict entrance regulations by the Chinese government, the probiotic product is also available in France under the brand of ImmunoStim," Irgens said.

According to Lin Hanzhong, a media officer with www.315ts.net, the article has not yet been removed from the website.

"We also want to know what the relationship between Biostime and Lallemand actually is. And we will wait for the court to decide," Lin said yesterday.

According to Lin, Biostime has asked for compensation of 100,000 yuan (US$12,820) and a public apology by the web company at a court hearing early last week.

Luo Fei, general manager of Biostime Inc Guangzhou, said: "As an information provider, the web company should know only factual information can be publicized."

(China Daily May 15, 2007)