** Shares of WuXi Biologics 2269.HK lead slide in antibody and vaccines producers, falling 8.1% in their biggest daily percentage decline since July 26, after positive clinical trial results for Merck & Co's MRK.N experimental antiviral COVID-19 pill
** Stock on track to snap four straight sessions of gains - biggest pct decliner on Hang Seng Index .HSI
** Sino Biopharmaceutical 1177.HK drops 6.7% to HK$6.03, lowest since August 2019; the third biggest decliner on the benchmark index
** Data in a clinical trial showed Merck's antiviral pill for coronavirus could halve the chances of dying or being hospitalized for those most at risk of contracting severe COVID-19, boosting its stock on Friday while denting shares of vaccine and coronavirus therapies makers
** Merck and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said they plan to seek U.S. emergency use authorization for the pill as soon as possible and to make regulatory applications worldwide
** In Hong Kong, Kintor Pharmaceutical 9939.HK plunges
26.3%, the biggest daily percentage decline since listing in May
2020
** CanSino Biologics 6185.HK drops 29.5%, the worst day since listing in March 2019
** Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical 2196.HK slumps 21%, the worst session since listing in October 2012
** Healthcare index .HSCIH drops 4.8%, the Hang Seng Composite Index .HSCI falls 1.8%, and Hang Seng index .HSI falls 2.2%
(Reporting by Donny Kwok)
((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com))