Merck’s cervical cancer vaccine approved

Merck has announced that its cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, has been approved by the FDA.

The company claims that it is the first and currently only vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer as well as vaginal and vulval pre-cancerous lesions. It acts on human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, which cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as HPV types six and 11. In clinical trials, the vaccine 100 per cent of cervical cancers related to HPV types 16 and 18, providing the patients had not previously been exposed to HPV.

Additionally, Gardasil prevented 99 per cent of cases of genital warts caused by HPV types six and 11.

Richard T Clark, chief executive officer and president of Merck, commented: “Merck is proud to be the leader in cervical cancer vaccine research and development.”

“Bringing forward this life-saving scientific advance is yet another testament to Merck’s long-standing mission to research and develop novel vaccines and medicines that can greatly improve public health,” he added.

Kevin Ault, associate professor at the department of gynaecology and obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine and clinical study investigator, stated: “Gardasil is a major health breakthrough – the first vaccine specifically designed to prevent cancer – and is approved to prevent not only cervical cancer but also genital warts.”

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis operating with involvement from Merck, will be responsible for Gardasil in the EU.

GlaxoSmithKline is currently producing a similar vaccine.

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