Shenzhen China Stock Exchange said Thursday, June 13, that it is requesting further information from the operator of the Guangdong Highsun Group Co shopping center after Highsun announced support for the development of an African swine fever vaccine.
Highsun Shopping Center said on Tuesday June 11th that it would spend 900 million yuan ($ 130.09 million), or 26% of its net assets in 2018, to support natural compound research, which the company claims to prevent African swine fever. a deadly disease of pigs destroying the livestock of these animals throughout Asia.
Highsun's announcement triggered a 10% surge in stocks, resulting in suspension of trading. The China Stock Exchange said it seeks clarity on a number of issues, including additional evidence of the success of the vaccine in preventing African swine fever and whether scientists have government permission to conduct research on the virus.
In China, research and control of the African swine fever virus are strictly regulated. The exchange also wants confirmation that the compound, an injection of the polysaccharide, has been patented as claimed.
An official from Highsun, who asked not to be named, said that the company was preparing an answer to questions from the Shenzhen Exchange, and declined to comment further. Highsun previously stated that preliminary studies have shown that polysaccharide is 92% effective in preventing disease.
On Thursday, June 13, the Hainan Provincial Bureau of Agriculture announced on its website that it supported a research team that isolated a polysaccharide compound from tropical plants that showed a “definite preventative effect” against ASF.
Upon calls to comment on this statement, the Hainan Provincial Bureau of Agriculture remained silent.
