China Approves First HPV Vaccine But Can GSK Secure Its Lead?

After a decade-long wait, China has finally approved its first HPV vaccine, GSK's Cervarix, handing a lead to the UK-based firm over its US competitor Merck in the world’s second largest pharma market. But with Chinese companies also vying for a slice of the pie, the battle is just beginning, and pricing will be a key element.

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BEIJING – The wait is over. Each year, thousands of young Chinese females had to make their way to Hong Kong if they wanted to get a shot against human papillomavirus (HPV), but those in future now have the lower hassle option of receiving this at home on the mainland.

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