SANOFI- AVENTIS

Sanofi-Aventis Sanofi, Merck's cervical cancer vaccine to be reimbursed in Austria, Germany


LYON (AFX) - Sanofi Pasteur MSD said its newly launched cervical cancer
vaccine Gardasil has been incorporated into the nationally-funded vaccination
programme in Austria, the first European country to recommend young girls and
boys be given the shot.
The vaccine maker also announced that three large statutory health insurance
funds which cover almost half the German population have decided to fully
reimburse the cost of the drug for young people.
Gardasil was approved by European medicine regulators at the end of
September, and has been launched in 13 countries on the continent. For sales to
begin rising significantly, national governments and insurers need to begin
funding national vaccination programmes.
"We expect to hear decisions on funding and reimbursement before the end of
2007 from most EU countries," Didier Hoch, president of Sanofi Pasteur MSD, told
reporters at a press conference in Lyon, France.
The company is a joint venture between France's Sanofi-Aventis SA and US
drug maker Merck & Co, which operates in 15 countries in Europe. Gardasil is
expected to a major growth driver for both parent companies, and is slated to
become a blockbuster product, generating more than 1 bln usd annually.
Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among European women, is
caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is widespread and sexually
transmitted, and thought to infect around 70 pct of people during their life.
Gardasil has been proven to prevent 100 pct of cervical cancers caused by
the four most common types of the virus.
US health authorities in June recommended the vaccination of young girls,
and insurers covering 94 pct of privately insured people have decided to
reimburse the vaccine. Australia decided to fund national programmes last month.
Sanofi said France will announce its reimbursement decision in the first
part of 2007. Three big private health insurance funds in the country have
already said they will partially pay for the vaccine.
amy.brown@afxnews.com
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