Simcere Announces Recent Progress of Qiangke's Registration

NANJING, China, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Simcere Pharmaceutical Group ("Simcere" or the "Company") (NYSE: SCR), a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China, today announced that Shanghai Celgen Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Celgen") , in which it holds a 35% equity interest, has received new drug registration approval for Qiangke, its Recombinant Human TNF Receptor-IgG Fusion Protein for Injection. Qiangke is primarily used for in-patient treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and holds strong market potential. Shanghai Celgen is currently preparing for the upcoming GMP inspection by the SFDA.

In addition, Simcere plans to purchase the land use rights to 65,300 square meters in Beijing's Zhongguancun Innovation Park to establish a regional R&D center and offices. The purchase will allow Simcere to take advantage of the talent, technology, and resources available in Beijing.  Simcere has signed a framework agreement with Beijing Strong Science Park Development Co., Ltd. for this project.

About Simcere Pharmaceutical Group

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (NYSE:SCR, Simcere) is a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China. In recent years, Simcere has been focusing its strategy on the development of innovative pharmaceuticals and first-to-market generics. The Company has introduced an innovative anti-cancer medication Endu, first-to-market generics such as Bicun and Anxin, and a first-to-market medication Sinofuan. Simcere manufactures and sells drugs in the oncological, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection therapeutical areas. Simcere concentrates its research and development efforts on the treatment of diseases with high incidence or mortality rates and for which there is a clear demand for more effective pharmacotherapy including cancer and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, inflammatory and infectious diseases. For more information about Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, please visit www.simcere.com.