GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) recently provided an update regarding its application to the FDA for approval of CERVARIX&reg, its vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.GSK has submitted its response to questions raised by the FDA in their Complete Response Letter, received in December, 2007. In addition, given that final data from GSK’s Phase III pivotal efficacy study, HPV-008, are expected to be available later this year, GSK has decided to augment its application for approval with these data to ensure they are included in the U.S. label. GSK anticipates submitting these data in the first half of 2009. The timing depends on reaching a certain number of cases in order to conduct the final analysis. An FDA action on the application is expected to take up to six months following this submission. Interim data from this study were filed in the original application for the vaccine in March, 2007. The company does not expect that new clinical studies will be required for approval. “Study 008 is a key study that will be completing later this year, and we expect the final results will strengthen the U.S. label for CERVARIX&reg,” said Barbara Howe, M.D., Vice President and Director, North American Vaccine Development, GlaxoSmithKline. “We continue to have positive and productive discussions with the FDA and remain confident in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy profile. We look forward to bringing this important new cervical cancer vaccine to girls and women in the U.S.” To date, GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine has been approved in 67 countries around the world including the 27 member countries of the European Union, Mexico, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines. Licensing applications have been submitted in more than 35 additional countries including Japan. GSK also submitted the vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) for prequalification in September 2007.