China's first self-developed hepatitis B vaccine has gone through clinical testing and is ready for industrial production, according to sources with the developer.

 The Chongqing Jiachen Biological Product Manufacturing Co. invested 100 million yuan (US$12.5 million) through its parental company, the Chongqing Beer Co., to cooperate with the China No. 3 Military University in developing the vaccine in 1998.

The sample product passed drug testing by the China Institute for the Control of Drugs and Biological Products in 2002, and entered phase two clinical testing in the following year.

Hepatitis B is one of the most infectious diseases in China. According to official statistics, China has 130 million HBV virus carriers and 30 million patients. Medical expenditure on HBV therapy amounts to 30 billion to 50 billion yuan (US$3.75 million to 6.25 million) a year in China.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2005)