GSK extends strategic vaccine collaboration with Zhifei

(Sharecast News) - Drugmaker GSK has revised and extended its strategic vaccine collaboration with Chinese firm Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products. GSK said on Thursday that Zhifei will commercialise its shingles vaccine, Shingrix, in mainland China, with the revised agreement extending the original three-year period during which the latter has exclusive rights to import, distribute and co-promote the vaccine in mainland China for an additional eight years through to 2034, with revised expected volumes.

Under the revised agreement, Zhifei also agreed to engage exclusively with GSK to explore a potential collaboration, with an initial term of ten years, on the commercialisation of a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in mainland China, subject to regulatory approval of the vaccine.

Zhifei will purchase volumes of Shingrix, phased over time, with a potential total value to GSK of £2.3bn over the six years 2024-2029.

GSK's chief commercial officer Luke Miels said: " This revised agreement with Zhifei puts our collaboration on a sustainable footing, managing challenges in the macro environment in the near-term, and helping us to reach even more Chinese people with our innovative adult vaccines over the long-term."

As of 0935 GMT, GSK shares were down 0.30% at 1,351.0p.





Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com