- In March 2024, Merck announced plans to develop an innovative investigational multivalent HPV vaccine aimed at expanding protection across various HPV strains. Clinical trials will be conducted in both males and females to assess the safety and efficacy of a single-dose regimen of GARDASIL 9 compared to the existing three-dose regimen, promising broader protection
- In March 2024, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. revealed that its lead medication, YCANTH, has earned New Chemical Entity (NCE) status from the U.S. FDA. This designation, along with its listing in the FDA's Orange Book, ensures at least five years of regulatory exclusivity, significantly enhancing the company's market position and competitive edge
- In January 2024, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. disclosed receiving the minutes from their Type C meeting with the U.S. FDA, held on November 6, 2023. The meeting aimed to review the Phase 3 clinical development strategy for YCANTH, a treatment for warts, marking a critical milestone in advancing the treatment’s regulatory and clinical progression
- In June 2023, The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a shift in the HPV vaccination approach. Starting September 2023, teenagers and eligible gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) under 25 years will only receive a single HPV vaccine dose, reducing the previous multi-dose requirement
- In June 2020, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a Merck & Co., Inc. subsidiary, announced FDA approval for GARDASIL 9, a 9-valent HPV vaccine, for the prevention of various HPV-related cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. The approval addressed unmet clinical needs, expanded vaccine distribution to hospitals and research institutes, and drove product sales growth
