With reference to the Pharmabiz report 'Merck to launch more oncology products in India' dated August 21, 2006 on the Pharmabiz website, it was wrongly reported as Merck KgaA's Stimuvax, a therapeutic vaccine being developed for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will undergo phase IIIb clinical trials in India.

Merck Specialties Private Limited, Mumbai officials informed that Stimuvax is currently entering phase III development and about six centres in India are expected to be a part of the ongoing global clinical trial development investment. Currently Erbitux is undergoing phase IIIb clinical trials at six select centres in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad. Merck is also in the process of filing its application to the DCGI to launch UFT in India and are looking at a launch of the drug in India in some time next year only after receiving due approvals. Merck has three compounds which are in late stage development and eight in early stage development, clarified the officials.

The error is regretted - Editor