By Fineline Cube 
China-based Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co., Ltd (SHA: 603392) has initiated a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of its 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Chinese males aged 18–45. This marks a significant step toward expanding access to comprehensive HPV protection for men in China.
Vaccine Profile and Protection
The vaccine targets seven high-risk HPV types (16/18/31/33/45/52/58) and two low-risk types (6/11), offering protection against genital warts and various cancers, including penile, perineal, perianal, and anal cancers, as well as their precancerous lesions. This broad-spectrum protection underscores the vaccine’s potential to significantly reduce the incidence of HPV-related diseases in the male population.
Market Context and Competition
The initiation of this trial comes amid heightened competition in the HPV vaccine market. Recently, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK) secured regulatory approval in China for its 9-valent HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 for males aged 16–26. Wantai’s advancement into Phase III trials highlights its strategic move to capture a share of this growing market segment.-Fineline Info & Tech