Merck's new Gardasil 9 gains backing from US FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved pharma giant Merck & Co’s (NYSE: MRK) Gardasil 9-valent vaccine (human Papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine, recombinant) for the prevention of certain diseases caused by nine types of human Papilloma virus (HPV).

Covering nine HPV types, five more HPV types than the original Gardasil (previously approved by the FDA), Gardasil 9 has the potential to prevent around 90% of cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers, the agency stated.

Sales of regular Gardasil in the third quarter of 2014 were $590 million, a decrease of 11%, reflecting lower purchases in the US public sector, Merck noted in announcing its financial results for this period.