American Oriental Bioengineering launches new product for rhinitis and allergies

American Oriental Bioengineering, Inc. today announced that the Company has launched a new product for the rhinitis and allergy market, called Jingwei Capsules ("Jingwei"). Jingwei will be manufactured by the Company's Boke subsidiary, and will be marketed throughout China utilizing AOBO's distribution network, including the Company's national hospital and pharmacy distribution network.

Jingwei is an effective, long-lasting, tricyclic antihistamine that selectively antagonizes peripheral H1-receptors. This unique mechanism enables Jingwei to quickly alleviate the symptoms associated with rhinitis, chronic urticaria, itching skin and other allergic skin reactions, but without the common antihistamine side-effects. A branded version of Loratadine, Jingwei is currently reimbursable under China's national insurance program.

Mr. Tony Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Oriental Bioengineering, commented, "We are very pleased to be launching the Jingwei Capsule, which is complementary to our market-leading Boke nasal spray. Its major competitor is Schering-Plough's Claritine, whose revenue is estimated to be RMB 1.0 billion at present. Jingwei is an excellent product that is both effective and safe. With AOBO's well-established distribution network, and the strength of the Boke brand, we believe that the Jingwei capsule could become one of AOBO's leading products over time. We are confident in our future growth prospects as we continue to expand our product lines and launch innovative new products."