INDIA – GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) has expanded its adult vaccine portfolio in India with the launch of the shingles vaccine, Shingrix.
Shingles is an infectious disease that results in a painful, localised rash and it is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Following the rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain lasting from at least three months up to several years from the onset of the rash.
In an official statement, GSK cited that the Shingrix vaccine is highly effective at preventing shingles, commonly known as herpes zoster, and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 50 years and over.
“Shingrix is a zoster vaccine recombinant adjuvanted vaccine given intramuscularly in two doses,” the global biopharma company stated.
GSK’s ZOSTER-049 extension study shows that overall Shingrix can provide at least a decade of protection against shingles after the initial vaccination.
Moreover, Shingrix can be administered to adult patients affected with diabetes, heart diseases, and kidney diseases to reduce their risk of developing shingles.
“Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine which combines a recombinant antigen, glycoprotein E, and the adjuvant system,” said GSK.
GSK plans to introduce its new and effective prevention option for shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia among adult patients in India in the coming months.
The drugmaker will charge approximately US$110 to US$160 for its Shingrix vaccine in India, which is a significantly lower price than in the United States.
In his address, Bhushan Akshikar, Managing Director of GSK, confirmed: “The Shingrix vaccine price in India will be one-third of the US price. Two doses of the vaccine cost US$400- US$500 in the US.”
He underscored that these vaccines could protect India’s 260 million adults above 50 years from shingles and its complications, noting that vaccination is the only effective preventive option.
“Shingrix is manufactured in GSK’s plant in Wavre in Belgium, which is the largest vaccine manufacturing site in the world,” outlined Akshikar.
He pointed out that the company has expanded its manufacturing capabilities to ensure more people across the world have access to the shingles vaccines.
This news comes as Shingrix was approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission for the prevention of shingles in adults above 50 years.
Moreover, the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is the first approved shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with GSK’s adjuvant.
RZV can help overcome the natural age-related decline in immunity that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 years and above from the infectious disease.
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