Cervarix
Generic name: human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant
Treatment for: Human Papillomavirus Prophylaxis
GlaxoSmithKline Submits Biologics License Application to U.S. Foodand Drug Administration for Cervarix
New Vaccine Candidate Developed to Protect Against Cervical Cancer - Filing Includes Data from Almost 30,000 Females
PHILADELPHIA, March 29, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline announced today that the company has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for Cervarix (human papillomavirus vaccine, AS04 adjuvant-adsorbed), its cervical cancer candidate vaccine, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If licensed, the vaccine will be indicated for the prevention of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions associated with the most common cancer-causing human papillomavirus types. For this candidate vaccine, GSK selected a novel proprietary adjuvant system called AS04, intended to enhance immune response and increase duration of protection.
"Today's filing is an important milestone for GSK and reflects our commitment to help prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among younger women," said JP Garnier, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading vaccine manufacturers. "We believe that the best possible protection against cervical cancer will include routine screening together with a vaccine designed to provide targeted, durable protection against the most common cancer-causing virus types."
The BLA for the GSK cervical cancer candidate vaccine includes data from clinical trials in almost 30,000 females 10 to 55 years of age and reflects an ethnically diverse population. The submission also contains data from the largest Phase III cervical cancer vaccine efficacy trial to date, which was conducted around the world in more than 18,000 females 15 to 25 years of age.
"We are pleased to submit this file to the FDA," said Barbara Howe, MD, Vice President and Director, North American Vaccine Development Organization, at GlaxoSmithKline. "It includes a considerable amount of data for virus types 16 and 18 that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases worldwide, as well as data for other virus types that can lead to cervical cancer. We look forward to presenting study results in the coming months."
The GSK cervical cancer candidate vaccine is formulated with a proprietary adjuvant system called AS04, containing aluminum hydroxide and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL(R)). Published data have shown that the GSK cervical cancer candidate vaccine formulated with AS04 provides a stronger and longer lasting immune response compared to the same GSK vaccine composition formulated with a traditional aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.
About Cervical Cancer
After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most frequently occurring cancer in women between the ages of 20 to 39 in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007 more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 4,000 will die from this disease in the United States. Furthermore, approximately 2 million precancerous lesions are diagnosed each year in the United States.
The GSK Cervical Cancer Candidate Vaccine Around the World
In addition to the Biologics License Application submitted for Cervarix with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, GSK has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency, Australia, Canada, and major countries in Asia and Latin America.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline-one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies-is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, please visit http://www.gsk.com/ .
GSK Biologicals (GSK Bio), one of the world's leading vaccine manufacturers, is headquartered in Rixensart, Belgium, where the majority of GlaxoSmithKline's activities in the field of vaccine research, development and production are conducted. GSK Bio employs more than 1,500 scientists, who are devoted to discovering new vaccines and developing more cost-effective and convenient combination products to prevent infections that cause serious medical problems worldwide. In 2006, GSK Bio distributed more than 1.1 billion doses of vaccines to 169 countries in both the developed and the developing world - an average of 3 million doses a day. Of those vaccine doses, approximately 136 million were doses of combination pediatric vaccines which protect the world's children with up to six diseases in one vaccine.
For further information please contact: U.S. Media inquiries: Liad Diamond +1 919 483 2839 Nancy Pekarek +1 919 483 2839 Mary Anne Rhyne +1 919 483 2839 UK Media enquiries: Philip Thomson +44 20 8047 5502 Alice Hunt +44 20 8047 5502 Gwenan White +44 20 8047 5502 US Analyst/ Investor enquiries: Frank Murdolo +1 215 751 7002 Tom Curry +1 215 751 5419 European Analyst/Investor enquiries: Anita Kidgell +44 20 8047 5542 Sally Ferguson +44 20 8047 5543 David Mawdsley +44 20 8047 5564
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by the company, including those made in this Announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect the Group's operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the 'Business Review and Prospects' in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2006.
Posted: March 2007
Related articles
- FDA approves Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline's cervical cancer vaccine - October 16, 2009
- FDA Advisory Committee Makes Favorable Recommendation for Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline's Candidate Cervical Cancer Vaccine - September 9, 2009
- Cervarix U.S. Regulatory Update - March 30, 2009
- GlaxoSmithKline Responds to FDA on Cervarix and Plans to SubmitFinal Study Data for Approval - June 30, 2008
- GlaxoSmithKline Receives FDA 'Complete Response' Letterfor Cervarix Cervical Cancer Vaccine - December 17, 2007
Cervarix (human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant) FDA Approval History
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