Roche, Transgene Enter Marketing Agreement For Experimental HPV Vaccine That Treats Precancerous Cervical Lesions

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 16 Apr 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche will market French biotechnology firm Transgene's experimental human papillomavirus vaccine TG-4001 under a deal announced by the companies on Wednesday, Reuters UK reports (Hirschler/Reid, Reuters UK, 4/11). TG-4001, which aims to treat a precancerous cervical abnormality called high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, has completed Phase II clinical trials, and Phase III trials are being planned (Transgene release, 4/11). Under the agreement, Roche will have exclusive access to TG-4001. According to Reuters UK, the vaccine appears to be effective in treating women already infected with HPV, whereas Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline's experimental HPV vaccine Cervarix prevent infection with some HPV strains that cause cervical cancer but have not shown to be effective among women already infected with the virus (Reuters UK, 4/11). Under the terms of the agreement, Roche initially will pay Transgene about $17.4 million, followed by about $13.4 million after the Phase III trials are planned (AFX/Forbes, 4/11). Roche could pay Transgene up to about $261.5 million more as TG-4001 is developed further. Transgene also would receive royalties if the vaccine is marketed. Roche will hold all manufacturing rights for TG-4001, while Transgene will be responsible for the clinical trial supply of the vaccine and any other new HPV treatments. The vaccine could reach the market by 2011, Transgene CEO Philippe Archinard said (Reuters UK, 4/11).

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