V540A-3

V540A-3 is an investigational multi-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme. It is designed as a next-generation follow-up to Gardasil 9 (V503), aiming to provide broader protection against HPV-related cancers and infections. The vaccine targets the nine HPV types covered by Gardasil 9 (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) plus additional unique HPV types not included in the current standard of care. Like its predecessors, V540A-3 utilizes virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of the L1 major capsid protein to stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies. It is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials to assess its safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity compared to Gardasil 9 in healthy individuals.