Shingrix sales KRW 42B… leads shingles vaccine mkt

The only recombinant zoster vaccine in Korea... 97.4% preventive efficacy in people over 60

SKYZoster and Zostavax recorded sales of KRW 18.7 billion and KRW 17.4 billion last year

An attenuated vaccine with 60-70% preventive efficacy... highlights the convenience of a single-dose vaccination

With its overwhelming protection rate, Shingrix emerges as a new game-changer in the second-generation vaccine landscape

In the shingles vaccine market, the genetically engineered recombinant zoster vaccine Shingrix has achieved sales of KRW 42 billion in just over 3 years since its launch, maintaining its lead in the market for 2 consecutive years.

 

Based on pharmaceutical distribution performance, GSK's Shingrix recorded sales of KRW 360 million, KRW 38.4 billion, and KRW 42 billion in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, leading the market.

 

The sales figures for attenuated vaccines SK Bioscience's SKYZoster and MSD's Zostavax in 2023 were KRW 18.7 billion and KRW 17.4 billion, respectively.

 

Among the two attenuated vaccines, it is noteworthy that the later-launched SKYZoster surpassed Zostavax’s sales, which was launched 8 years earlier.

 

Zostavax was approved by the MFDS in April 2009, and SKYZoster in September 2017.

 

As the first-ever vaccine to receive FDA approval, Zostavax maintained its position as the only shingles vaccine available in the domestic market from its launch until SKYZoster was released.

 

However, its lead has been threatened by the launch of the recombinant zoster vaccine Shingrix, a strong competitor.

 

In 2023, it even fell behind SKYZoster, a later-generation attenuated vaccine, further losing its market position.

 

In 2023, SKYZoster generated sales of KRW 26.2 billion, surpassing Zostavax by KRW 3.9 billion.

 

Nevertheless, the market trend is shifting from first-generation attenuated vaccines to second-generation genetically engineered vaccines, resulting in a significant decline in the performance of first-generation vaccines.

 

Zostavax's sales plummeted from KRW 43.2 billion in 2020 to KRW 17.4 billion in 2024.

 

During the same period, SKYZoster’s sales also plummeted from KRW 29.1 billion to KRW 18.7 billion.

 

Attenuated vaccines and genetically engineered vaccines exhibit stark differences in terms of advantages and disadvantages, which serve as a key determinants in sales growth.

 

Zostavax and SKYZoster are attenuated vaccines that weaken the virulence of the virus.

 

It has a preventive efficacy of around 60–70% in people aged 50–60 and offers high convenience as a single dose.

 

However, their preventive efficacy decreases with age, potentially dropping to 30% in those over 70.

 

Genetically engineered vaccines, which create antigens similar to the virus, pose no risk of infection.

 

It demonstrates strong preventive efficacy, with a protection rate of 97.4% in those in their 60s and 91.35% in those in their 70s, achieving over 90% protection across all age groups.

 

In addition, its safety has been demonstrated in clinical trials targeting individuals aged 18 and older with weakened immune systems, making it suitable for administration to those with compromised immunity, such as cancer patients or organ transplant recipients.