GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Zhifei Biological Technology Partner to Develop and Commercialize Shingrix Shingles Vaccine in China
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Chinese vaccine maker Zhifei Biological Technology have announced a partnership to develop and commercialize Shingrix, GSK’s shingles vaccine, in China. The deal is worth up to $3 billion and includes a $1.5 billion upfront payment.
Shingles is a painful and debilitating disease that can affect anyone who has had chickenpox. It is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can cause a rash, blisters, and nerve pain that can last for months or even years.
Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine that is highly effective in preventing shingles. It is the only shingles vaccine that is approved for use in adults 50 years of age and older. It is also the only shingles vaccine that is shown to be effective in preventing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful and chronic complication of shingles.
Under the terms of the partnership, Zhifei will have the exclusive rights to import and distribute Shingrix in China. GSK will retain ownership of the Shingrix intellectual property and will be responsible for manufacturing the vaccine.
The partnership is expected to accelerate the availability of Shingrix in China, which has a large and growing population of people at risk of shingles. According to the World Health Organization, China has the third-highest number of shingles cases in the world.
The partnership is also a sign of GSK’s commitment to the Chinese market. GSK has been operating in China for over 100 years and is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the country.
Benefits of the Partnership
The partnership between GSK and Zhifei is expected to benefit both companies and patients in China.
For GSK, the partnership will provide access to Zhifei’s extensive sales and distribution network in China. Zhifei has a presence in over 30,000 vaccination points across the country. This will help to ensure that Shingrix is widely available to patients in China.
For Zhifei, the partnership will provide access to GSK’s innovative vaccine technology. Zhifei is a leading vaccine maker in China, but it does not have its own shingles vaccine. The partnership will allow Zhifei to market and distribute Shingrix in China, which will boost its revenue and profitability.
For patients in China, the partnership will provide access to a highly effective shingles vaccine. Shingrix is the only shingles vaccine that is approved for use in adults 50 years of age and older. It is also the only shingles vaccine that is shown to be effective in preventing shingles and PHN.
Impact on the Chinese Shingles Market
The partnership between GSK and Zhifei is expected to have a significant impact on the Chinese shingles market. Shingrix is the most advanced shingles vaccine available and is expected to become the leading shingles vaccine in China.
The partnership is also expected to increase competition in the Chinese shingles market. This is good for patients, as it will lead to lower prices and more choices for shingles vaccines.
Additional Thoughts
The partnership between GSK and Zhifei is also notable because it is one of the largest partnerships between a foreign pharmaceutical company and a Chinese vaccine maker. This suggests that foreign pharmaceutical companies are becoming increasingly interested in partnering with Chinese companies to develop and commercialize vaccines in China.
The partnership is also a sign of the growing importance of the Chinese vaccine market. China is now the second-largest vaccine market in the world and is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. This is good news for vaccine makers like GSK and Zhifei, as it presents significant opportunities for growth.
The Future of Shingles Vaccines in China
The partnership between GSK and Zhifei is a positive development for the future of shingles vaccines in China. It is expected to accelerate the availability of Shingrix in China and provide patients with access to a highly effective shingles vaccine.
The partnership is also a sign of the growing collaboration between China and the international community in the field of vaccine development. This collaboration is important, as it will help to accelerate the development of new and innovative vaccines to protect people from infectious diseases.
In addition to the partnership between GSK and Zhifei, there are a number of other factors that are expected to drive the growth of the shingles vaccines market in China in the coming years. These factors include:
- The increasing aging population in China. According to the World Bank, the share of the Chinese population aged 65 and over is expected to increase from 13.5% in 2022 to 28% in 2050. This increase in the aging population will lead to a corresponding increase in the number of people at risk of