Cervarix® selected as vaccine for British Columbia's new cervical cancer prevention program for young women

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 10, 2012 /CNW/ - GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK) is pleased to announce that Cervarix^® has been selected for British Columbia's new one time program for cervical cancer prevention in young women. The province's new program aims to help prevent cervical cancer through vaccination and is open to young women born in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

"GSK welcomes the decision by the British Columbia Communicable Disease Policy Advisory Committee to include Cervarix^® in a public health immunization program," stated Grant Perry, Vice President, Public Affairs and Reimbursement, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. "We look forward to working closely with the public health authorities in British Columbia to support the successful implementation of their cervical cancer prevention program when it begins this spring."

"For the first time, in addition to public health units, we have engaged the support of physicians, pharmacists, sexual health and university clinics in publicly-funded HPV vaccine immunization services, helping to ensure more young women in the province of BC are protected against cervical cancer," said Dr. Monika Naus, Medical Director, Immunization Programs and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Service, BC Centre for Disease Control. "This new one time program will provide an opportunity for young women aged 19 - 21, who would not have had the option to be immunized as part of the school-based program, the chance to be vaccinated against a disease that kills one woman every day in Canada."

About Cervical Cancer in Canada

• In Canada, cervical cancer kills approximately one woman every day¹, and among Canadian women aged 20-44 cervical cancer incidence rates are second only to breast cancer.²
• It is estimated that as many as 80% of Canadian women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime³, which is a necessary cause of cervical cancer.

About Cervarix^®

Cervarix^® is a vaccine indicated in girls and women from 10 to 25 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancer (squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma) by protecting against the following precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 and grade 3, cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1.

Cervarix^® does not treat, or reduce mortality associated with, cervical cancer and does not protect against all HPV types.  Duration of protection has not been established. 100% protection cannot be guaranteed and continued routine Pap test screening is necessary. Side effects and allergic reaction may occur.

About GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. This mission gives GSK the purpose to develop innovative medicines, vaccines and healthcare solutions that help millions of people. GSK is consistently recognized as one of the 50 best employers in Canada and is a top 20 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $100 million in 2011 alone. With a proud tradition of charitable and community support, GSK is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. Discover more at GSK.ca.

References:

1. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011.  http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/CCS/Canada%20wide/Files%20List/English%20files%20heading/PDF%20-%20Policy%20-%20Canadian%20Cancer%20Statistics%20-%20English/Canadian%20Cancer%20Statistics%202011%20-%20English.ashx.  Accessed March 20, 2012
2. Canadian Cancer Society: More young adults being diagnosed with cancer. http://www.cancer.ca/ontario/about%20us/media%20centre/od-media%20releases/more%20young%20adults%20being%20diagnosed%20with%20cancer%20%20first%20canadian%20research%20in%20this%20area.aspx?sc_lang=en.  Accessed March 20, 2012
3. Einstein MH. Acquired immune response to oncogenic human papillomavirus associated with prophylactic cervical cancer vaccines. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2008;57(4):443-451

For further information:

Michelle Smolenaars Hunter
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
905-819-3363