China Pharma Holdings announces completion of clinical trials for Candesartan

China Pharma Holdings, Inc. ("China Pharma") (NYSE Amex: CPHI), which develops, manufactures, and markets specialty pharmaceutical products in China, today announced that the Company has completed clinical trials for Candesartan, an anti-hypertension drug, and submitted the generic drug production application to the SFDA.

Analysis of the clinical trial results shows that Candesartan Cilexetil is a prodrug of Candesartan. It is 10-fold stronger in effect than Losartan, has good selectivity (Candesartan has much greater affinity (>10,000-fold) for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor), and has long effective time (one administration per day in low dosage). As a prodrug, it also enables smooth release via an oral solution, which makes it an ideal hypertension drug.

Candesartan, the leading anti-hypertension drug, is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist for which 2007 worldwide sales exceeded $2.5 billion. Discovered and originally synthesized by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Candesartan was jointly developed by Takeda and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of hypertension, chronic heart failure, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

In China, nearly 60% of all urban adults aged 65 years and over suffer from hypertension, and prevalence in urban areas is expected to reach 100 million by 2011. Candesartan is listed in the China's National (Medical) Insurance Catalog ("NIC"), allowing patients to be reimbursed by the government.

China Pharma's CEO and president, Ms. Zhilin Li, commented, "We are pleased to announce the satisfactory completion of clinical trials for Candesartan, a multi-billion dollar revenue-generating drug, ahead of schedule. Hypertension is a serious problem linked to an increased incidence of other diseases, particularly brain edema, coronary heart disease and diabetes. Candesartan is a well-established and well-tolerated anti-hypertension drug with an excellent safety record and is known to be particularly suitable for cardiovascular and diabetic patients."

Ms. Li continued, "According to the Chinese government, ninety percent of China's citizens will be covered by a universal healthcare system by the end of calendar 2010. Candesartan's presence in the NIC allows users to receive reimbursement and will provide effective treatment for a high number of Chinese patients whose medication needs are seriously unmet. We see great potential in the target market and are excited to have an opportunity to provide this excellent anti-hypertension drug to individuals suffering from hypertension in China."