MSD leads charge in battle against HPV in China

Global pharmaceutical company MSD obtained approval for its 4-valent HPV vaccine for use in males between 9 to 26 years old in China on Jan 8, a new milestone in its mission to safeguard individuals from illnesses in the nation.

"We are very excited. We had a major indication change for our female HPV vaccine with an expansion of the age in 2022. Now we don't only protect females, but also males, families, communities and society," said Anna Van Acker, senior vice-president of MSD and president of MSD in China.

The HPV vaccine is one of the few that can prevent cancer. In 2017, MSD introduced its 4-valent HPV vaccine for women, initiating a mission to aid China in combating HPV-related illnesses. In 2022, its 9-valent HPV vaccine received approval for a broader age range, spanning from 9 to 45 years. Over the previous eight years, MSD's HPV vaccines were used by 52 million women and girls in China, according to the company.

Van Acker said that with the new use in males, MSD is looking at possible innovations to get to the next level of protection in China.

"At MSD, our big mission is to save and improve Chinese lives, and that's why we are so excited because this new indication gives us the opportunity to take a significant leap forward," she said.

MSD will utilize its expertise in HPV vaccine development to promote the expansion of indications, according to the company.

"We will not sit still. Our commitment lies in ongoing research and development, seeking innovative ways to prevent HPV-related infections and diseases with a gender-neutral approach," Van Acker said.

"We are conducting several clinical studies in China for new HPV vaccine indications, aiming to expand our outreach and emphasize the urgency of prevention," she added.

MSD will also make efforts to build up knowledge on HPV infection and protection so more males can recognize the importance of vaccination, said Van Acker.

"HPV does not know any gender. Despite the awareness of HPV among females being very high in China, the awareness around male is still very low. There is a lot of work needing to be done with medical professionals, so they have a better understanding on the importance of HPV vaccination for men," she said.

"Time is of the essence. We have not yet reached every woman and girl in China, and now the same urgency applies to males," she said. "Our mission is to write a healthier future for all. Health is paramount; without it, everything else pales in comparison."

Long-term partner

In 1989, before opening its first office in China, MSD began to bolster the public health development of China by transferring the most advanced genetically engineered recombinant hepatitis B vaccine technology to China.

"Thirty-five years ago, MSD transferred its hepatitis B vaccine technology to China and assisted in the local production of the vaccine, starting an unforgettable journey. Together with Chinese public health stakeholders, we continue to pursue the goal of eliminating communicable diseases for countless patients and families. The historic move also marked our long-term commitment to delivering on our mission to save and improve lives," Van Acker said.

In 1992, MSD founded its China headquarters in Shanghai, solidifying its role as a key partner in China's public health advancement. Within the realm of vaccines, MSD has introduced HPV, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines, advocating for broader indications to encompass diverse populations and age brackets. In the field of oncology, MSD has cultivated an extensive pipeline of anti-tumor therapies, addressing more than 20 prevalent cancer types in China over the past 33 years.

Since 2012, MSD has brought more than 60 innovative products and indications to the Chinese market. The company said that more than 40 new products and indications will be introduced in China in the next five years.

Looking ahead, MSD will continue to support China's healthcare system development under the guidance of its China strategy known as Writing Our Future+.

"Our ambition on Writing Our Future+ is to bring that health message and to bring our innovations to as many people in China as possible and to do that as fast as possible," Van Acker said. "We are crafting our individual futures with good health. Health is paramount. Without health, you have nothing.

"We will persist in our pursuit to become a trusted, prominent partner within the healthcare ecosystem in China. It truly revolves around collaboration within that ecosystem to identify expertise in addressing various challenges and opportunities. Our goal is to convene different stakeholders to facilitate access, improve outcomes, and contribute to the success of the Healthy China 2030 initiative."