Kwangdong Pharmaceutical said Friday that it has signed a co-promotion agreement with MSD Korea on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil and Gardasil 9.

Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly market and distribute Gardasil and Gardasil 9 in Korea starting January 1, 2024.

Gardasil 9 is indicated for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in women aged nine to 45 years; the prevention of genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) caused by HPV types 6 and 11; and the prevention of genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, and prevention of persistent infection and precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, genital warts (condyloma) caused by HPV types 6 and 11, and precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in males aged nine to 26 years.

"The introduction of the HPV vaccine further strengthens our product lineup in the vaccine business," a Kwangdong Pharmaceutical official said. "We will continue strengthening our position in the vaccine market based on our sales and marketing competitiveness and close collaboration with MSD Korea."

An MSD Korea official said, "Through our partnership with Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, we will strive to prevent HPV-related diseases and cancers in Korea by stably supplying the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9."