London: GlaxoSmithKline has stated that it has got nod from the European Commission for its cervical cancer vaccine ‘Cervarix’, which cleared up its way to launch the drug in European markets as one of its key new products.

Glaxo’s vaccine will compete with Merck & Co’s Gardasil that is already available in both the US as well as European markets. Both vaccines defend against cancer-causing strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

A representative for the British-based group, the world’s second-biggest drug manufacturer, stated that Cervarix would be available in major European markets soon.

“We intend to launch across Europe within the next few weeks,” she added.

GlaxoSmithKline refuse to disclose how much it would charge for the vaccine, or whether the rate in European markets would be high or low than in Australian market, where it got its first major regulatory consent in May.

Cervarix is not expected to carry on sale in the United States before next year, since it was only submitted to the USFDA in March.

Administrations all-through the world supported the idea of vaccinating young girls against HPV, whilst a few groups defend the scheme of routine vaccination against a sexually transmitted virus.

Glaxo, however, thinks it could have an edge due to the novel adjuvant, or additive, used in Cervarix, which may mean it, is more powerful and lasts for a long time.

The British group declared in January that it had commenced a head-to-head analysis comparing Cervarix and Gardasil to distinguish which shot brings out the best immune reaction to cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18.