The partnership will substantially enhance the accessibility of Shingrix in China, as it involves joint promotion to healthcare professionals and an expansive network of over 30,000 vaccination points
GSK announces exclusive strategic vaccine partnership with Zhifei in China. (Credit: GSK plc)
GSK has entered into an exclusive agreement with Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products to jointly promote GSK’s shingles vaccine, Shingrix, in China for an initial three-year period, with the possibility of extending the collaboration upon mutual consent.
Zhifei, which stands as the largest Chinese vaccine company in terms of revenue, has a commendable history of expanding access to innovative vaccines within China. By combining the resources and expertise of both companies, this strategic partnership aims to significantly broaden the availability of Shingrix. This initiative will facilitate the swift expansion of patient access to the vaccine and explore potential future applications.
Commencing on 1 January 2024, Zhifei will possess exclusive rights for the importation and distribution of Shingrix in China. They will primarily focus on promoting the vaccine through their extensive service network, encompassing over 30,000 vaccination points throughout the country.
Working in synergy, GSK, as the product license holder, will collaborate in promoting Shingrix. Their efforts will involve raising awareness about the importance of shingles vaccination among healthcare professionals in community health centres and hospital settings.
In August 2023, GSK reported positive results from the ZOSTER-076 phase IV trial, demonstrating that Shingrix exhibited 100% vaccine efficacy in preventing shingles among Chinese adults aged 50 and above.
GSK chief commercial officer Luke Miels said: “This partnership is consistent with our focus on products with a high and durable level of differentiation.
“It materially expands the number of Chinese adults who can benefit from Shingrix and includes the option to extend the collaboration to include our novel RSV vaccine Arexvy.”
As per the agreement’s provisions, Zhifei is set to procure specified quantities of Shingrix, with a total value of £2.5bn to GSK throughout the initial three-year duration. These procurements are anticipated to be distributed gradually during this period, in response to the expected increasing demand.
The potential for an extension of this partnership remains contingent upon mutual agreement from all parties involved. This collaborative endeavour aligns with and expedites GSK’s commitment to doubling global Shingrix sales, with an ambitious target exceeding £4bn by the year 2026.
Within the framework of this strategic partnership, Zhifei has granted GSK the right of first refusal, enabling GSK to become their exclusive partner for any potential co-development and commercialization of an RSV vaccine designed for older adults in China. This arrangement lays the foundation for potential future collaborations between the two companies, particularly concerning the potential approval and distribution of Arexvy in China.