Shingrix can provide at least 10 years of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 years & over

New data show Shingrix can provide at least 10 years of protection against shingles in adults aged 50 years and over

• Overall, the clinical benefit was sustained through the current follow-up period of up to 10 years after vaccination in adults aged 50 years and over

• In the primary endpoint, the interim data demonstrated overall efficacy of greater than 80% over the follow-up period of approximately six to 10 years after initial vaccination

• No new safety concerns were identified during the follow-up period

• GSK plans to bring Shingrix to India in 2023

Delhi, October 20: GSK today announced positive interim results from the ZOSTER-049 extension study showing that overall Shingrix (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) can provide at least a decade of protection against shingles (herpes zoster) after initial vaccination. The interim analysis data will be presented on 20 October 2022 at the IDWeek congress in Washington, DC, USA.

These results come from ZOSTER-049 (ZOE-LTFU), an extension from two phase III clinical trials ZOE-50 and ZOE-70. From those trials, vaccine efficacy was 97% in adults 50 years and above and 91% in adults 70 years and above over a follow-up period of approximately four years.1 The ZOE-LTFU study, which follows participants from the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 clinical trials for an additional six years, is ongoing and will continue to evaluate the longer-term efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine.

Dr. Hemant Thacker, Consultant Internist and Cardio Metabolic Physician, Breach Candy, Jaslok, Bhatia and Reliance Hospital said: “Shingles is a painful and distressing condition especially for the elderly. Despite treatment, elderly patients can suffer from severe complications and the persistent pain may cause difficulties in performing daily activities. A vaccine to reduce the incidence of this debilitating condition is the key. The results of the study released by GSK are promising. I am confident that a vaccine to prevent shingles, with long-lasting protection, will greatly benefit our growing elderly population and enhance their quality of life.”

Sabine Luik, Chief Medical Officer & SVP Global Medical Regulatory & Quality, GSK, said: “We are delighted to see the continuing longevity of protection from our shingles vaccine. The findings from ZOE-LTFU demonstrate that it can provide a decade of protection against the pain, debilitating impact and potentially severe complications that shingles can cause in people aged 50 and over. These data significantly add to, and complement, the existing body of evidence demonstrating the long-term benefit of the vaccine, and we look forward to seeing additional results from this ongoing study.”

Sridhar Venkatesh, Vice President & Managing Director at GSK India said: “Adult immunization is integral to maintain the wellbeing and quality of life of India’s growing elderly population, and to ensure healthy ageing accompanies the gains in longevity we have made as a nation. Diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and shingles, can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines. The encouraging results from the ZOE-LTFU trials demonstrate the long-lasting efficacy of Shingrix. Shingrix will be an important addition to our adult vaccination portfolio in India and help address an unmet preventive health need.”

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chicken pox.Error! Bookmark not defined., As people age, the immune system loses the ability to mount a strong and effective immune response, increasing the risk of developing shingles.Error! Bookmark not defined.,iv,v The disease can cause unbearable pain and, in some cases, intense pain continues after the shingles rash fades, that nerve pain (called post-herpetic neuralgia [PHN]) can last for months or even years.Error! Bookmark not defined.

The Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) is the first approved shingles vaccine to combine a non-live antigen with GSK’s adjuvant and may help overcome the natural age-related decline in immunity that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 years and above from this disease.[vii],[viii]

About ZOSTER-049i

ZOSTER-049 is an open-label, long-term follow-up (LTFU) study from two pivotal phase III randomised clinical trials (ZOE-50, ZOE-70). The study is evaluating the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity for six additional years after completion of the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 studies. In the interim analysis conducted over the >4 years of long-term follow-up, representing up to 10 years since immunisation (mean: from 5.6 (±0.3) to 9.6 (±0.3) years post-vaccination), vaccine efficacy was 81.6%. From 1 month post-second dose in those initial studies up to year 10 post-vaccination (mean: 9.6 (±0.3) years post-vaccination), vaccine efficacy was 89.0%. The safety profile observed in this extension study is consistent with the established safety profile of the vaccine. No new safety concerns were identified. The incidence of serious adverse events was consistent with the age of the study population. No deaths or other Safety Adverse Events (SAE) considered related to vaccination were reported. Five cases of HZ-related complications (PHN - 3 cases and HZ disseminated disease - 2 cases) were reported.

A total of 7,413 participants were enrolled in the study’s Safety cohort. The participants were 60.7% female and 39.3% male. Participants were 76.0% White-Caucasian/European heritage, 18.7% Asian and 5.3% Other. ZOSTER-049 is being conducted in 18 countries/regions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.