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Prestigious award considered the Nobel Prize for pharmaceutical research
KIRKLAND, QC, Dec. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Merck Frosst is proud to announce
that GARDASIL(R) has won the Prix Galien Canada 2008 - Innovative Product
award. Referred to as the Nobel Prize for pharmaceutical research, this award
is given to the product that has made the most significant overall
contribution to patient care in Canada in terms of efficacy, safety, benefits
and innovation.
"Merck Frosst is delighted that the eminent specialists who make up the
Prix Galien jury have recognized the safety and efficacy of GARDASIL," said
Dawn Graham, President of Merck Frosst Canada. "Preventative public health
measures like the HPV vaccine have consistently proven to be safer, more
effective and less costly than treatment. We at Merck Frosst strongly believe
the HPV vaccine will improve the health and quality of life of Canadian women
and therefore accept this Prix Galien with the utmost pride."
The Prix Galien is the most recent in a series of endorsements from the
Canadian scientific community for the HPV vaccine. The following major medical
organizations, representing thousands of healthcare professionals across
Canada, have already expressed support for HPV vaccination programs: the
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Regroupement des
gynécologues oncologues du Québec (RGOQ), the Society of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of
Canada (GOC), the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), the Society of
Canadian Colposcopists (SCC) and the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS).
An extensively tested vaccine
Approved by Health Canada in July of 2006, GARDASIL has benefited from 10
years of research and development including over five years in clinical trials
involving close to 25,000 people in 33 countries. Its research program is one
of the most extensive in terms of subjects studied and length of evaluation
supporting the approval of a vaccine.
In clinical trials, the HPV vaccine was proven 96 to 100 per cent
effective at preventing infections from the four HPV types that cause 90 per
cent of all cases of genital warts, 70 per cent of all cervical cancers and
55-72 per cent of vulvar and vaginal cancers.
GARDASIL is indicated for females between nine and 26 years of age for
the prevention of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, precancerous
lesions and genital warts caused by the four vaccine HPV types (6, 11, 16 and
18).
About the Prix Galien
The Prix Galien is the most prestigious award in the field of Canadian
pharmaceutical research and innovation. Referred to as the Nobel Prize of
pharmaceutical research, it recognizes the efforts and achievements of
pharmaceutical research and development. The Prix Galien is composed of two
awards: the Prix Galien Research award recognizing the outstanding
contribution of a researcher or a research team to Canadian biopharmaceutical
research; and the Prix Galien for Innovative Product award for a
pharmaceutical product whose efficacy, safety and innovation contribute to
enhancing the quality of life of Canadians.
The Prix Galien jury is composed of eight eminent specialists involved in
the sphere of Canadian and Pharmaceutical Research. The President of the Prix
Galien is Dr. Jacques Gagné, Chairman of the Quebec Biotechnology Innovation
Centre and former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of
Montreal. The Vice-President is Dr. John H. McNeill, Professor and Dean
Emeritus, Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmacology and Toxicology, at the
University of British-Columbia.
For more information, visit: www.prix-galien-canada.com
About Merck Frosst
At Merck Frosst, patients come first. Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. is a
research-driven pharmaceutical company discovering, developing and marketing a
broad range of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve human health.
Merck Frosst is one of the top 25 R&D investors in Canada, with an investment
of close to $110 million in 2007. More information about Merck Frosst is
available at http://www.merckfrosst.com
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks
and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set
forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements
regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ
materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release
should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's
business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements in Item 1
of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, and in its periodic
reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by
reference.
(R) Trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. Used under license.
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For further information: Sheila Murphy, Manager, Public Affairs, Merck
Frosst Canada Ltd., (514) 428-2748; Dan Brennan, NATIONAL Public Relations,
(514) 843-2325
