An experimental Merck & Co. vaccine appeared to provide
broader protection against a cancer-causing virus than the company's Gardasil
shot in clinical trials.
Merck said the study results support its plan to submit the
new vaccine, code-named V503, for U.S. regulatory approval by year's end, which
could lead to market launch next year at the soonest. Merck expects health-care
providers to eventually switch to V503 if the product receives marketing
approval. Some analysts expect its annual sales could exceed $1 billion.
"The case for using V503 is even stronger than the case
for using Gardasil, which was already strong," said Roger Perlmutter, head
of Merck's research and development unit. Dr. Perlmutter has singled out V503
as one of the programs Merck will focus on as it overhauls its R&D unit in
a bid to recover from a series of setbacks. Read more.
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