WHO Endorses a New Single-Dose HPV Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Oct. 4, 2024 that it has prequalified its fifth human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Cecolin. Cecolin is the only vaccine approved for a single-dose regimen, setting it apart from multi-dose HPV vaccine options like Merck’s Gardasil vaccine, which typically requires three doses, and Walrinvax vaccine, which is manufactured by […]
Moderna/Merck’s Combo Melanoma Cancer mRNA Therapeutic May Be Ready Next Year

The CEO of Moderna, Inc., Stephane Bancel, said last week that his company may introduce a new mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) biologic to treat melanoma cancer as early as 2025. Moderna has been working in partnership with Merck, Inc. to develop a mRNA-based shot that targets skin cancer cells. The product, mRNA-4157 (V940), would be […]
Doctors in India and U.S. Get Big Money and Gifts from Pharma

The Madras High Court in India stated that 8,667 pharmaceutical companies have claimed income tax deduction on the freebies they give to doctors as “sales promotion expenses” and “gifts” in their tax return for the year 2019-20.1 In January 2020, the Court had taken suo motu cognizance (when courts in India take a case on […]