UK-based pharmaceutical giant GSK plc (NYSE: GSK) has released efficacy data for its shingles vaccine, Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine; RZV), in a Chinese patient population. The Phase IV post-marketing ZOSTER-076 trial, conducted in China, involved nearly 6,000 participants aged 50 and over. The trial reported no cases of shingles in the group that received RZV, compared to 31 cases in the placebo group, resulting in a 100% efficacy rate.
Consistency with Global Phase III Trials
These results align with the global pivotal Phase III trials ZOE-50 and ZOE-70, which demonstrated Shingrix’s efficacy to be 97% over a follow-up period of approximately four years. The vaccine’s performance in the Chinese trial underscores its reliability and effectiveness in diverse populations.
Shingles and the Varicella-Zoster Virus
Shingles is a condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which remains dormant in the majority of individuals aged 50 and over. As age increases and the immune system weakens, the risk of developing shingles rises. In China, approximately 6 million shingles cases are diagnosed annually, highlighting the need for effective vaccination.
Shingrix’s Market Presence and Sales
Shingrix was first approved in the US in 2017 and entered the Chinese market in 2020. The vaccine plays a significant role in GSK’s growth strategy for China, with global sales reaching GBP 2.96 billion (USD 3.7 billion) in 2022. The vaccine’s sales grew by 60% year-on-year, with China identified as a key growth driver.-Fineline Info & Tech
