Liu Zhanbin, chairman of Harbin Pharma Group Sanjing Pharmaceutical Shareholding Co committed suicide while under investigation on suspicion of taking bribes, the company said yesterday, adding that the death would not affect its operations.

Liu Zhanbin managed to escape from the custody of police officers and jumped out of a third story toilet window to his death on Sunday, the company said in a stock exchange filing yesterday.

Liu claimed he wasn't feeling well after breakfast on Sunday, according to the company. Police took him to a hospital in Xunke County in Heihe City for a health check.

Sanjing Pharmaceutical said it was notified by the People's Procuratorate of Heihe City in Heilongjiang Province that the police had opened a case on Liu last Friday. Earlier media reports said Liu was being investigated for taking bribes.

Liu Fengchun, director and general manager of Sanjing Pharmaceutical, will temporarily perform Liu Zhanbin's duties. Sanjing Pharmaceutical said this won't have a major impact on business operations.

Liu Zhanbin, born in 1963, had worked as vice general manger of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Holding Co and chairman of Sanjing Pharmaceutical since February 2012.