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GSK PLC on Tuesday said the China National Medical Products Administration has approved its Shingrix injection for immunocompromised adults. Shingrix, a recombinant zoster vaccine to prevent shingles, was approved already for those aged 50 and over. Tuesday’s win extends this to adults aged 18 onward who are more susceptible to the diseases, due to existing immunosuppression or immunodeficiency. The trials on which the decision was based included participants ‘who had undergone recent blood-forming cells (stem cell) transplantation, kidney transplant, or have blood cancer, solid tumour, or HIV,’ GSK noted. The London-based pharmaceuticals and biotechnology firm already had approval said its drug is ‘the first and only vaccine approved in this population in China.’ GSK estimated around six million Shingles cases per year in China, citing researchers from the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention & Control. ‘Through close collaboration with regulatory bodies, we continue to drive innovation that helps protect vulnerable patient groups and shifting the focus of healthcare systems towards preventing diseases,’ commented Sanjay Gurunathan, the firm’s senior vice president for Vaccines & Infectious Diseases. GSK shares rose 0.5% to 1,635.50 pence on Tuesday morning in London. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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