Will they absorb lessons learned from Merck’s mistakes?
As Glaxo is forced to wait for FDA’s approval for its own HPV vaccine, Cervarix, will the company use its time on the sidelines to absorb lessons learned from Merck’s missteps? There is a building backlash against Merck’s ‘BIG-FOOT’, political lobbing strategy that aggressively pushes politicians to mandate its vaccine. Merck has pushed through from one political firestorm to the next. An increasing resentful public is feeling like Atlanta to Merck’s Sherman-like march to market share.
Preparing for its FDA review, Glaxo tested the Cervarix vaccine on nearly 30,000 girls and women, ranging in age from 10 to 55 years old. An effectiveness trial involved 18,000 girls and women between 15 and 25 years old.
Independent medical researchers and financial analysts believe Glaxo’s Cervarix will have a slight edge over the Gardasil product. However, given how Merck has muddied the waters with political controversy and been accused of predatory marketing, the Cervarix HPV-vaccine will draw more scrutiny.
Once Cervarix wins FDA approval, the real question is; Will Glaxo be tempted to follow the Merck marketing model? Or will the Glaxo rollout team let the product’s efficacy speak for itself?
