Scientists at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica began researching the synthetic methodology, structure-activity relationship, structure-metabolism relationship, structure-toxicity relationship, and pharmaceutical properties of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in 1993.

After 16 years of continuous effort they discovered and marketed a new antibacterial drug, Antofloxacin Hydrochloride. Antofloxacin Hydrochloride is the first new chemical entity (NCE) with independent intellectual property rights since the implementation of the Patent Law (the amendment) of China in 1993.

Antofloxacin Hydrochloride is a key step in China’s innovative drug research and development and has been playing an important role in safeguarding the health of the country’s people.