BRIEF—WHO backing for Sinovac Biotech's hepatitis A vaccine

Chinese biopharma company Sinovac Biotech has received a positive decision from the World Health Organization on the acceptability, in principle, of its Healive, a hepatitis A vaccine product, for purchase by United Nations agencies.

The company’s Healive product was assessed according to the WHO Prequalification Procedure.

Weidong Yin, chairman, president and chief executive of the company, commented: “I am very pleased that Healive has passed the assessment under WHO Prequalification procedures. This is an important milestone for Sinovac which we expect will provide opportunities to supply this vaccine to respective UN agencies as well as accelerate the regulatory approval process for this vaccine in international countries outside China.”

Sinovac primarily sells its vaccines in China, while also exploring growth opportunities in international markets. The company has exported select vaccines to over 10 countries in Asia and South America.