36氪·2025-11-26 13:39Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing price war in China's vaccine industry, driven by changes in supply and demand dynamics, leading to significant price reductions and financial losses for companies [4][15][22]. Group 1: Price War Dynamics - The price of a three-valent flu vaccine has dropped to 5.5 yuan, cheaper than a cup of milk tea, indicating a severe price competition in the vaccine market [5][11]. - The China Vaccine Industry Association has issued an initiative to combat "involution-style" competition, urging members to avoid bidding below cost and threatening penalties for violations [6][8][10]. - The price war has persisted for two years, with the association's initiative being the first formal stance against low-price competition, although it may not resolve the underlying issue of overcapacity [6][10][22]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Changes - The supply side is characterized by homogenization and overcapacity, with many companies entering the vaccine market, leading to intense competition and price wars [16][17]. - Demand is also under pressure, with declining public trust in vaccines and a decrease in vaccination rates, particularly for flu vaccines, which averaged below 4% in China from 2020 to 2023 [17][19]. - The shift in focus from childhood vaccines to adult vaccines due to declining birth rates has intensified competition in the adult vaccine market [17][19]. Group 3: Financial Impact on Companies - The financial repercussions of the price war are evident, with vaccine companies experiencing a 60% drop in revenue and a 113% decline in net profit in the first half of 2025 [19][20]. - Major companies like Zhifei Biological and Wantai Biological have reported significant losses, with Zhifei's revenue down 66.53% and net profit loss of 12.06 billion yuan [20][21]. - Despite some companies showing growth in sales, the overall trend indicates that increased revenue does not equate to increased profit due to drastic price reductions [21][22]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Strategies - Experts suggest that the industry is in a "deep cold moment," requiring a period of consolidation and restructuring that could last five to ten years [23]. - Companies are exploring two main strategies to navigate the competitive landscape: expanding into emerging markets and focusing on differentiated products to meet unmet clinical needs [24].