EN
Sinovac Initiates Volunteer Enrollment for its Phase I/II Clinical Study on Lyophilized Herpes Zoster mRNA Vaccine
BEIJING, Jan. 7, 2026 – On January 6, 2026, Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (“SINOVAC” or the “Company”), initiated the enrollment of volunteer subjects for a Phase I/II clinical study of its self-developed lyophilized herpes zoster (shingles) virus mRNA vaccine candidate. The vaccine is intended for the prevention of herpes zoster in adults aged 40 years and above.
The Phase I/II study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, aiming to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine at different dose level in the target population. Volunteer subjects will be randomly assigned to groups with different dosage of the candidate vaccine, a positive control group, or a placebo group.
The study initiation meeting was held in Korla, Xinjiang.
Herpes zoster, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically presents with severe neuralgia and clusters of blisters. Typical clinical manifestations include severe neuropathic pain and clustered vesicular rash. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication, affects approximately 5% to 30% of shingles patients and can result in persistent pain for years, significantly impacting quality of life.
SINOVAC is concurrently advancing shingles vaccine development through both mRNA and recombinant protein technology platforms. The Company's recombinant shingles vaccine received clinical trial approval in November 2025. By leveraging a diversified R&D pipeline—encompassing viral, bacterial, recombinant protein, and mRNA systems—SINOVAC continues to accelerate the development of innovative vaccines to address global public health needs.
Reference
1. The incidence of herpes zoster in China: A meta-analysis andevidence quality assessment. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics,2023, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2228169.
About SINOVAC
Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (SINOVAC) is a China-based global biopharmaceutical company, with a mission of "supply vaccines to eliminate human diseases", the company specializes in the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of vaccines and related biological products that protect against human infectious diseases.
The company's diversified portfolio includes vaccines for influenza, viral hepatitis, varicella, Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFMD), poliomyelitis, pneumococcal disease, etc., of which 3 vaccines have been prequalified by WHO, including inactivated hepatitis A vaccine Healive®, Sabin-strain inactivated polio vaccine (sIPV), and varicella vaccine.
SINOVAC has a leading edge in developing vaccines to combat infectious disease outbreaks and was among the first to initiate R&D during major public health emergencies, including SARS, H5N1, H1N1, and COVID-19. The company developed the world's first inactivated SARS vaccine (Phase I completed), China's first H5N1 influenza vaccine (Panflu®), the world's first H1N1 influenza vaccine (Panflu.1®), and CoronaVac®, the most widely used inactivated COVID-19 vaccine globally.
Beyond its marketed portfolio, the company is advancing a robust pipeline that includes combination vaccines,recombinant protein vaccines and next-generation platforms such as mRNA technologies and antibodies.
With a long-standing commitment to innovation and global health, SINOVAC is expanding its global footprint by strengthening partnerships with research institutions, international organizations, and local partners. Through broader market presence, technological cooperation, and localized production, the company aims to accelerate vaccine development and supply, enhance regional access to high-quality products, and better address unmet medical needs while improving preparedness for future pandemics.
For more information, please see the Company’s website at www.sinovac.com.