Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck on Tuesday announced that FDA has granted priority review for the company's experimental human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil, Reuters reports (Reuters, 2/7). Merck in October 2005 announced that Gardasil in clinical trials was 100% effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. The company in a statement released in December 2005 said a priority review -- which usually involves medications that "treat unmet medical needs" -- could take approximately six months (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 12/6/05). According to Merck, FDA intends to review the vaccine and act on the application by June 8 (Reuters, 2/7).

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