Merck Sharp and Dohme to provide HPV vaccines to poor nations

Merck Sharp and Dohme is to provide doses of Gardasil to various developing nations after being awarded a significant portion of the UNICEF human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine tender.

The company will supply approximately 2.4 million doses of Gardasil to countries eligible for GAVI Alliance support between 2013 to 2017, to help meet rising demand for these treatments in some of the world's poorest regions.

This agreement follows the GAVI Alliance's announcement that HPV vaccines are to be included in its portfolio for the first time, with vaccination programmes for this condition to be introduced in 28 countries by the end of 2017.

Dr Julie Gerberding, president at Merck Vaccines, said: "This partnership highlights Merck's commitment to working closely with GAVI to ensure broad and sustained access to Gardasil in the world's poorest countries, where the burden of cervical cancer is greatest."

Earlier this month, the company announced a major collaboration with fellow pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on the development of a potentially promising new treatment for type 2 diabetes.