IBE-5, a new anti-AIDS drug developed by the Jiangzhong Pharmaceutical Group, also an investor for the project, was approved on December 1^st, 2005 by the State Food and Drug Administration for clinical trials, after strict animal tests and safety clearance.

IBE-5, a valid anti-AIDS element extracted from plants, can noticeably reduce the number of AIDS viruses in the affected monkeys. It also can effectively curb the mutation of AIDS viruses in monkeys, with a therapeutic effect much better than cocktail therapy in comparison. Experts say that it will make a major medical breakthrough, if the therapeutic effects in humans can be the same as in monkeys. In the meantime, animal tests have show a fine perspective of the new drug in prohibiting hepatitis B viruses. The new drug and the associated synthesizing techniques have applied for patent rights in a number of countries, in a move to pave way for mass production. It is China?痵 first proprietary anti-AIDS drug.