Merial's canine cancer vaccine gets USDA OK

March 26 (Reuters) - Merial Ltd., a joint venture between Merck & Co. (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said it received a conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to market a vaccine to treat melanoma, a serious form of cancer in dogs.

The vaccine will be administered via a new device developed by Bioject Medical Technologies Inc. BJCT.O, which delivers the vaccine without the use of a needle, the animal health company said in a statement.

In a separate release, Vical Inc. (VICL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said with the approval, it will get $0.2 million in milestone payment.

The conditional license allows Merial to market the therapeutic vaccine while collecting additional efficacy data to support full marketing approval.

(Reporting by Rakesh Sharma in Bangalore)

((Editing by Gopakumar Warrier; Reuters Messaging: rakesh.sharma.reuters.com@reuters.net; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800)) Keywords: MERIAL USDA/

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