Recently, the Viwit independently developed smoking cessation drug Varenicline (Tartrate) Tablets, in strengths of 0.5 mg and 1 mg, received the Drug Registration Certificate issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

This means that Viwit’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and its formulation Varenicline Tartrate Tablets have jointly passed the technical review by the SAHPRA. It also signifies that Viwit’s production and quality management system have been certified by the SAHPRA, successfully obtaining access to the South African market, thereby enabling the product to be marketed and commercialized in South Africa.

Varenicline Tartrate Tablets are used for smoking cessation in adults and are selective partial agonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4β2 subtype, with high affinity for this receptor in the nervous system. Officially launched in China in October 2022, it has since helped tens of thousands of people quit smoking. According to statistics, the total global revenue for smoking cessation products was USD 1,322.053 million in 2015, which increased to USD 2,842.059 million in 2020. It is predicted that the market value of smoking cessation products will reach USD 7,027.085 million by 2025. With the development of South Africa's economy, the increase in downstream demand, and the rising requirements for health products, the South African smoking cessation product market is expected to become a continuously growing market.

Africa has the highest natural population growth rate in the world, with rapid urbanization and industrialization driving its fast economic growth. However, large areas still lack adequate medical care, making it a significant emerging market for pharmaceuticals, attracting many investors' attention. Yet, Africa's numerous countries have fragmented markets, diverse policies, and increasingly stringent regulations, with several countries like South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria requiring on-site production inspections. This significantly raises the difficulty, time, and economic costs for pharmaceutical companies entering the African market.

Viwit Pharmaceutical noticed that since 2016, South Africa replaced Nigeria as Africa's largest economy. With a well-established pharmaceutical industry foundation and regulatory system, South Africa was chosen as the breakthrough point for its entry into the African market, considering its advantages in policy environment, population scale, industrial level, market capacity, business environment, entry restrictions, and willingness to cooperate.

From the "Ten Cooperation Plans" at the 2015 Johannesburg Summit to the "Eight Major Actions" at the 2018 Beijing Summit, pharmaceuticals and health have become key areas of China-Africa cooperation. Subsequently, at the latest China-Africa Cooperation Forum held in Senegal in 2021, President Xi Jinping announced the joint implementation of "Nine Projects," with the health project listed first to vigorously promote pharmaceutical cooperation. Viwit Pharmaceutical's strategic layout closely follows these favorable policies, seizing the policy trend of building a China-Africa Health Community under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Viwit Pharmaceutical will deeply cultivate drug research and production, brand building, channel marketing, and social responsibility, leveraging its influence in the global pharmaceutical market and its social responsibility as a pharmaceutical company. Viwit Pharmaceutical is determined to forge ahead and sail to new horizons.