Shingrix already approved in China for adults aged 50 years and over
Application could expand populations eligible to benefit from protection against shingles to include adults with an increased risk of the disease
Approximately six million cases of shingles in China each year, with the incidence over three times higher for adults at increased risk compared to the general population
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted for review the regulatory application of Shingrix (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults aged 18 years and over at increased risk.

Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is a non-live, recombinant subunit adjuvanted vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses and was initially approved in 2019 by the NMPA to prevent shingles in adults aged 50 years and over.1–3

Globally, shingles will affect up to 1 in 3 people in their lifetime.4–7 A variety of factors can increase the risk of developing shingles, including advancing age and immunodeficiency or immunosuppression,8 as well as other chronic conditions such as COPD, diabetes, and asthma.9 It is estimated that there are approximately 6 million cases of shingles in China each year,10 with the incidence in people who are at increased risk, including people who are immunocompromised either due to disease or therapeutic treatment, being over three times higher than the general population.11

The NMPA application is informed by six clinical trials in patients aged 18 years and over who had undergone recent blood-forming cells (stem cell) transplantation, kidney transplant, or have blood cancer, solid tumour, or HIV.12–17

About shingles
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.4 A variety of factors can increase the risk of developing shingles, including advancing age and immunodeficiency or immunosuppression,8 as well as other chronic conditions such as COPD, diabetes, and asthma.9

Shingles typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen, or face.18 The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.4 Following the rash, a person can also experience post?herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and can occasionally persist for several years.4 PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 5–30% of all shingles cases from findings in various studies.19

About Shingrix
Shingrix (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV) is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine indicated for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 and over. It combines an antigen, glycoprotein E, with an adjuvant system, AS01B, and may help overcome the natural age-related decline in responses to immunisation that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 and over from shingles.1,2 RZV is not indicated to prevent primary varicella infection (chickenpox). In some countries, RZV is also approved for adults aged 18 years or over at increased risk for shingles. The use of RZV should be in accordance with official recommendations.

Please refer to the Product Information (PI) for important dosage, administration and safety information in China available at this link: https://www.gsk-china.com/media/6506/4-???-pdf-145m-ppc-0025427-v3-clean.pdf

About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.