Gardasil gets unanimous FDA panel support

Merck's Gardasil, billed as the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, is now just one step away from commercial approval after a unanimous vote in its favor by a federal advisory committee. Merck says that Gardasil can reduce deaths from cervical cancer by two-thirds and has already begun an early ad campaign aimed at generating buzz about the therapy. Dr. Monica Farley, the head of the committee, enthusiastically endorsed Gardasil, commending Merck for the impressive amount of data that was available for members to study. All of that spells what is likely to be a quick trip through to final FDA approval. Merck plans to sell a full regimen of Gardasil for $500. A full set of data on its therapeutic effect on men is expected in 2008.

- here's the article from the Los Angeles Times on Gardasil