Gardasil maker Merck & Co. is officially seeking approval for use of the cervical cancer vaccine in boys. The company is also asking the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to expand the approval of Gardasil in women ages 27 to 45 years. The vaccine is currently only approved for women and young girls ages 9 to 26.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Gardasil is a key product for Merck, which estimates sales this year of as much as $1.6 billion. But sales have slowed, down 4% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. Merck’s crusade for expanded approval may be part of a strategy to lift these sagging sales.