Bilive^TM is the first, and currently only, combined inactivated hepatitis A and B vaccine developed by Chinese scientists. The R&D and clinical trial period for Bilive^TM was completed in only four years (1999 to 2003). The SFDA issued a production license for marketing and sales of Bilive^TM on January 7, 2005.

Bilive^TM vaccine has only one directly competing product in the world, GlaxoSmithKline’s Twinrix^TM, however only its adult dosage vaccine is registered with the Chinese government. Furthermore, it is very expensive with only a few thousand sales recorded after its launch into the market.

Sinovac used its proprietary hepatitis A vaccine in combination with a genetically engineered hepatitis B vaccine to develop the combined vaccine. Bilive^TM is a combined vaccine, formulated by purified inactivated hepatitis A virus antigen and recombinant (yeast) hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) absorbed into aluminum hydroxide. Bilive^TM induces the body's immune system to generate antibodies as a reaction against hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses.

Bilive^TM junior is suitable for use in non-immune infants, children and adolescents from one year up to and including 15 years, who are at risk of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B infection.

Bilive^TM adult is suitable for use in non-immune adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older, who are at risk of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B infection.

Bilive^TM can be recommended for persons who remain in the vicinity of HAV and/or HBV, users of illicit intravenous drugs, homosexuals and bisexuals, hemophiliacs who receive therapeutic blood products, persons with nephropathy who receive dialysis treatment, and those persons who receive long term blood dialysis.

The standard, primary Bilive^TM vaccination schedule consists of three doses. The second dose is administered one month after the first, and the third dose six months after the first. After three shots there is no need to receive a booster.

Bilive^TM side effects are rare and of low intensity. The most common reactions were those at the site of injection, which included transient pain, redness and swelling. Systemic adverse events seen were fever, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. These events were transient, only rarely reported and were considered by the subjects as mild.