Merck to press for Gardasil approval for boys

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck is looking to get its human papillomavirus drug Gardasil approved for boys by 2009, according to The New York Times.

The drug hit the market in 2006, aimed at protecting girls and young women aged 9 to 26 from the virus, which causes cervical cancer. The vaccine is also said to protect genital warts. The primary reason to extend approval to boys would be to slow the rates of cervical cancer, because men pass the disease onto women through intercourse. By inoculating both sexes, the chances to pass on and develop the disease will decrease significantly.

Gardasil protects against four types of H.P.V. Two have been found in 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The other two types account for 90 percent of genital warts, which affect both men and women. Immunization, which comes in the form of three, separately administered shots, gives protection for five years.

In 2007, worldwide sales of Gardasil brought in $1.5 billion.