Second vaccine that combats cervical cancer virus launched in Southeast Asia

MANILA (AP) - Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline launched its Cervarix anti-cervical cancer vaccine in the Philippines on Saturday, making it the second company to launch a drug in Southeast Asia combating the virus that causes the disease.

The Philippines' Bureau of Food and Drugs approved the drug for sale earlier this month after approving a similar vaccine - Gardasil - produced by U.S.-based drug company Merck & Co. last year.

Cervarix combats types 16 and 18 of the human papillomavirus that together are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases worldwide. The virus targets females aged 10 years and higher, GlaxoSmithKline officials said.

"All women are at risk of developing cervical cancer," said Professor Cecilla Llave, head of the University of the Philippines' Cancer Institute.

Llave is not connected with either GlaxoSmithKline or Merck.