Norton Rose Fulbright, Hong Kong, has advised Société Générale and a syndicate of twelve other lenders on Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited’s first syndicated loan facility.

Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and is principally engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a vast array of health enhancing modernised Chinese medicines and chemical medicines.

The lenders arranged a three-year US$165 million senior unsecured syndicated loan facility agreement for Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited. The facility was jointly led by Société Générale, International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd., and Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd., Offshore Banking Branch. The syndicate of thirteen lenders included Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwanese banks.

Davide Barzilai, partner in the Hong Kong office of Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

“This is Sino Biopharmaceutical’s first syndicated loan and with its heavy over-subscription demonstrates the increasing strength of the Asian syndicated loan market.”

The transaction was led in Hong Kong by banking partner Davide Barzilai, assisted by associate Georgina Axon and international trainee Sophie Chen. Mourant Ozannes’ Hong Kong office acted as Cayman Island counsel for the lenders. Sidney Austin LLP acted for Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited.