SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /CNW/ -- Burrill & Company, a San
Francisco-based global life sciences leader, today announced that it has
formed a global strategic partnership with Beijing Pharmaceutical Group Co.
Ltd. (BPGC), one of the largest pharmaceutical and medical devices
conglomerates in China, to capture cross-Pacific life sciences opportunities.
The two companies signed a partnership agreement at the Second Annual China
Life Sciences Partnering Meeting in Chicago on April 8, 2006.
    Functioning as a bridge linking China and the Western world, Burrill
Greater China Group (BGCG) will help BPGC acquire advanced Western technology
and products to address unmet market needs in China.  BGCG will help BPGC form
strategic alliances with Western biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in
drug development and generic drug manufacturing.   Working closely together,
the partners will carry out a series of cross-boarder bio-partnering and M&A
projects.
    In 2005, Burrill & Company engineered the transfer of the Oxygent
technology from Alliance, a San Diego-based company, to Double Crane, one of
BPGC's subsidiaries.  "We should broaden and enhance our existing successful
work relationship with Burrill & Company," said Mr. Huacheng Wei, BPGC's
Chairman.  "By leveraging BPGC's leadership position, inexpensive yet high-
quality drug R&D and manufacturing compatibilities, and extensive sales and
marketing network in China, we will work with Burrill to lead the growth of
China's life sciences industry."
    "We're honored to add BPGC to our family of outstanding global strategic
partners," said G. Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill & Company.  "Burrill will
provide its deep life sciences knowledge and experience, and global network
and resources, to assist BPGC to become a leading player in the global
pharmaceutical industry."
    "BPGC and Burrill, two leaders on the two sides of the Pacific Ocean, have
joined forces to establish a critical cross-Pacific bridge, which will allow
the global pharmaceutical industry to tap into China's efficient drug
development and manufacturing resources, and allow China to become an integral
component in the global pharmaceutical value chain," said Jonathan Wang,
General Manager, BGCG.