GSK’s Cervarix to launch in a month, compete with Merck’s Gardasil
MUMBAI: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the British pharmaceutical and healthcare giant, is gearing up to introduce its last new product of 2008 - a cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix - in the Indian market in a month’s time.
The multinational has already launched vaccines such as Infanrix/Boostrix (for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), Rotarix (for diarrhoea caused by rotavirus), and a breast cancer drug called Tykerb earlier in the year.
Cervarix, however, could face some competition from US giant Merck & Co, which introduced Gardasil, a cervical cancer vaccine, in October through its Indian subsidiary Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). Experts feel this could mean direct competition between the two MNCs in India’s vaccine market, which is growing at a slow annual rate of 2%. Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix, the neck-like lower part of the uterus. It is treated through surgery, if detected in the first stage, and radiotherapy, if detected at an advanced stage.
Ranjana Sharma, consultant gynaecologist at Fortis La Femme at New Delhi, said, “Radiotherapy causes serious side-effects like urinary problems, bowel problems and shrinkages of tissues.” According to estimates, cervical cancer kills eight women every hour in India.
Sharma said that Gardasil and Cervarix can go a long way in preventing the disease. One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually.
Merck’s Gardasil offers protection against HPV types 6,11,16, and 18 while GSK’s Cervarix defends against type 16 and 18.
Sharma said, “HPV strains 16 and 18 are cancer-causing virus, while strain 6 and 11 cause genital warts. Vaccines that can prevent cancer are the need of the hour.”
Gayatri Kamath, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, said more than 70% of cervical cancer cases are due to strains 16 and 18, which are covered by the two vaccines.
However, Cervarix may not bring much to GSK in terms of revenues in the initial years at least, said Kirit Gogri, a Quant Capital analyst. Ranjit Kapadia, head-private client group at broking firm Prabhudas Lilladher, said, “No new product can fetch revenues of more than Rs 5 crore in the first year. Generally, new products bring revenues of Rs 1 crore or so.”
Besides, Cervarix is a specialised vaccine aimed at girls starting from the prepubescent age and so, its market potential is limited. It is unlike a vaccine for polio or diphtheria, which is targeted at children of all ages, said analysts.
There is also the price factor. Though the vaccine will be priced at least 25% lower than what it costs internationally, it would still be way above the reach of a large section of the population. A three-syringe course of Gardasil is priced at Rs 8,400. Cervarix is also expected to cost roundabout the same.
“These vaccines are the first of a kind in India. They are also quite expensive and so, it will take time for the vaccine to penetrate the market and gain acceptance,” said Gogri.
Comments