Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) released a study that its Gardasil HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine may offer protection to women over the current FDA approved age range of 9 to 26.
The study, which consisted of 3,800 women between the ages of 24 and 45, produced data showing that the vaccine prevented 91 percent of cases of persistent infection, monir cervical abnormalities, pre-cancers and genital warts caused by 4 strains of sexually transmitted HPV.
"This is the first efficacy study in this age population," Dr. Eliav Barr, who heads the Merck HPV Vaccine program, said. "The vaccine performed as we expected. It was highly effective."
Merck's goal now is to submit the data from the study to the U.S Food and Drug Administration to get approval to market the vaccine to women up to the age of 45.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in some countries and is the second most common type of cancerous tumor in women. It is estimated that 25% of U.S girls and women aged 14 - 59 are infected with HPV.
Previous Stories on HPV and Gardasil:
- First Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Gardasil, Approved by FDA
- GlaxoKlein and Merck's PR Battle of the HPV Vaccines
- U.K to Vaccine School Girls against HPV, GKS and Merck Vie for Contract
[Source: Yahoo News]
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Posted by: Tiare | November 5, 2007 3:53 PM | Permalink to Comment