Digene HPV test sales benefit from vaccine approval
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Digene human papillomavirus (HPV) test sales of $39.4 mil. in the firm's fiscal fourth quarter (ended June 30) represent a 43% jump from the prior year's fourth quarter, the firm reports Aug. 8. Digene is benefiting from heightened awareness of the benefits of HPV testing due in part to a direct-to-consumer advertising campaign and the June 8 approval of the first HPV vaccine (Merck's Gardasil), Digene says (1"The Gray Sheet" June 12, 2006, In Brief). Corporate revenue advanced 34% in Q4 to $43.3 mil.; for the year, revenue was ahead 33% to $152.9 mil. The firm estimates 18% penetration of a potential U.S. HPV testing market of 35 mil. tests annually. "We believe that our HPV testing business is posed for continued, long-term growth," CEO Evan Jones said...