Merck announced plans to initiate clinical development of a new investigational multi-valent HPV vaccine designed to provide broader protection against multiple HPV types at Eurogin 2024 HPV Congress.

Separately, the company also plans to conduct clinical trials in both females and males to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single-dose regimen of GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent, recombinant), compared to the approved three-dose regimen.

“Evidence continues to emerge showing the importance of GARDASIL and GARDASIL 9 to public health,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “These significant investments build upon our leadership and importantly provide the opportunity to further impact the global burden of certain HPV-related cancers and disease.”

Merck vaccine researchers continue to build on the development of GARDASIL and GARDASIL 9 to identify new candidates with the potential to extend protection against a broader array of HPV types. The latest addition to the pipeline employs the company’s proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) technology to incorporate additional VLPs for expanded HPV type coverage.

This includes several types known to have more impact in African and Asian populations and individuals of African and Asian descent. First-in-human studies (Phase 1) are scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2024.