MSD launches HPV vaccine

MSD Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp & Dohme, launched India’s first genderneutral HPV vaccine Gardasil 9. This nine-valent Human Papillomavirus vaccine would work against nine types of HPV and is for use in girls (9-26-year olds) and boys (9-15-year olds).

HPV is responsible for causing cervical cancer that can be detected through a simple screening procedure called the pap smear test. Boys also need to be vaccinated as they are often carriers of HPV.

Rehan A Khan, MD, MSD, India Region, said the vaccine will be imported into the country. “There is a large cohort of addressable population for this vaccine. However, at this moment the HPV vaccine market in India is negligible,” Khan said. “With HPV affecting both genders, the vaccine demonstrates the company’s commitment towards bringing a gender-neutral vaccine to India,” he added.