Selected Partnerships
- AmbrxAmbrxAgreement to develop and commercialize Ambrx’s long-acting growth hormone products, initially focusing on ARX 201 which is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials.
- Analyticon DiscoveryAnalyticon DiscoveryResearch alliance for bioassay-guided isolation of natural product extracts based on Analyticon’s proprietary products and technology
- AngiosynAngiosynOut-licensing of a protein fragment for ophthalmic use in the treatment of macular degeneration
- ArchemixArchemixBroad alliance with Archemix to discover and develop aptamer-based drugs in the area of Oncology and Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases (AIID)
- AstraZenecaAstraZenecaExclusive worldwide license to develop AstraZeneca’s anastrazole as a treatment for ovulation induction and improvement of follicular development in reproductive health
- AurigeneAurigeneIdentification and optimization of small molecular drug candidates comprising medicinal chemistry and biological profiling
- BiomarinBiomarinStrategic alliance for the development and commercialization of two BioMarin product candidates, Phenoptin® and Phenylase, both of which have shown potential in the treatment of phenylketonuria or PKU, a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase
- BioVascularBioVascularOut-licensing to BioVascular of our polypeptide Saratin, currently in development for prevention of thrombosis and stenosis.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)Out-licensing agreement with BMS for marketing in the U.S. of Glucophage® (metformin hydrochloride), a leading therapy to improve glycemic control in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
- CelgeneCelgeneDevelopment by Merck Serono of IKK-2 inhibitors, discovered in collaboration with Celgene’s signal research program, which may have significant disease-modifying potential in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cenix BioscienceCenix BioscienceResearch alliance for the identification of new therapeutically relevant drug targets in oncology using genome-scale siRNA library screening
- ChemDivChemDivOngoing agreement with ChemDiv to provide Merck Serono with discovery libraries of lead-like small molecules
- Clinical Data, Inc.Clinical Data, Inc.Out-licensing to Clinical Data, Inc. (formerly Genaissance Pharmaceuticals) of the antidepressant Vilazodone, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a 5HT1A partial agonist.
- Dainippon SumitomoDainippon SumitomoOut-licensing of Glucophage® to Dainippon Sumitomo for development and commercialization in Japan, and in-licensing of the partner’s technology for a new formulation of the oral antidiabetic
- DyaxDyaxDiscovery and development of therapeutic antibodies in collaboration with Dyax as well as a license to their proprietary antibody phage display libraries
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)Broad research collaboration in the areas of Neuroscience, Oncology and Drug Delivery, including three Merck Serono endowed chairs at EPFL
- EdelrisEdelrisResearch alliance for the development of a compound library based on Edelris’s proprietary natural product technology
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH)Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH)Research alliance with the Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ)
- FlamelFlamelCollaboration to investigate the applicability of Flamel’s Medusa® technology for the extended release of a therapeutic protein of Merck Serono’s portfolio.
- ForestForestLicensing agreement granting Forest Laboratories commercialization rights for the alcohol-dependence treatment Campral in the U.S.
- GenentechGenentechDevelopment and commercialization by Merck Serono of Raptiva (efalizumab), under exclusive licensing agreement with Genentech, for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, outside of the United States and Japan.
- GenfitGenfitResearch partnership with Genfit to provide identification and optimization of small molecular drug candidates and compound profiling
- Hutchison/Chi-MedHutchison/Chi-MedResearch partnership for identification and optimization of drug compounds derived from natural compounds
- IderaIderaCollaboration agreement for the research, development, and commercialization of Idera’s Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists for the treatment of cancer.
- ImcloneImcloneCo-development agreement (ex-North America) with Imclone Systems for Erbitux, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)
- KineMedKineMedAlliance with KineMed to identify new therapeutic utility of Merck Serono drug candidates by applying its proprietary translational medicine technologies
- MicrometMicrometExclusive collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of Micromet's fully human monoclonal antibody MT201 (adecatumumab), currently in clinical development for metastatic breast cancer and prostate cancer.
- Max Planck InstituteMax Planck InstitutePartnership to develop tools for analyzing protein-protein interaction and compound-gene product interaction
- NewronNewronExclusive worldwide license agreement to develop and commercialize Newron’s Safinamide, currently in clinical development for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
- Nippon ShinyakuNippon ShinyakuOut-licensing agreement with Nippon Shinyaku for the development, marketing and promotion of our alcohol-dependence treatment Campral in Japan.
- NovImmuneNovImmuneR&D partnership to develop two fully human monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
- Ocimum BiosolutionsOcimum BiosolutionsAlliance with GeneLogic to seek alternative development paths for several Merck Serono drug candidates
- OncothyreonOncothyreonExclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Biomira for its cancer vaccine Stimuvax (BLP25 Liposome Vaccine), currently in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
- OSIOSIOut-licensing of Novantrone to OSI for promotion in oncology indications in the U.S.
- ParatekParatekDiscovery, development and commercialization of novel tetracycline derivatives as an orally available disease-modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS)
- PfizerPfizerCo-promotion in the U.S. market by Pfizer of Rebif®, Merck Serono’s leading treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Pasteur InstitutePasteur InstituteResearch alliance focusing on human and mouse genetic analysis to identify genes regulating immune response as potential targets for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
- RegeneronRegeneronResearch agreement to use Regeneron’s propietary Velocigene technology platform to generate animal models of gene function and rapidly identify validated therapeutic targets for drug development
- RigelRigelExclusive license from Rigel to develop and commercialize product candidates in oncology from its Aurora kinase inhibitor program
- Scripps Research InstituteScripps Research InstituteResearch alliance using Scripps technology in biomarkers and animal models in the area of oncology
- SRD PharmaSRD PharmaOut-licensing of FP-21399 (FP), a novel compound that prevents HIV-infection of uninfected cells at a post-binding step
- TaihoTaihoAcquisition of most of the global rights for the cancer treatment UFT® (tegafur-uracil), used for the treatment of colorectal cancer, from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of Japan
- TanabeTanabeOut-licensing of bisoprolol, a highly beta 1-selective beta-blocker for the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and heart failure.
- TargegeneTargegeneOut-licensing of an SRC kinase inhibitor in cardiovascular indications
- TiogaTiogaOut-licensing of Asimadoline in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- University of Dundee / Academic ConsortiumUniversity of Dundee / Academic ConsortiumResearch partnership to investigate the involvement of protein kinases in molecular pathways
- Weizmann InstituteWeizmann InstituteResearch collaboration to discover new therapeutic targets and approaches
- ZymoGeneticsZymoGeneticsBroad partnership to research, develop and commercialize novel protein and antibody therapeutics based on discoveries made by ZymoGenetics
Partnering with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutes is a core part of our strategy at Merck Serono. By combining complementary expertise and resources, we create an environment that enables us to enhance value and move our projects forward. This in turn helps us to bring therapeutic innovations to patients more quickly.
Merck Serono offers potential partners a solid foundation upon which to build mutually rewarding relationships:
- Solid financials as part of Merck, a global chemical and pharmaceutical group
- Sales of 4.5 billion euros in 2007
- EUR 1 billion annual R&D investment
- World-class NCE and NBE manufacturing facilities
- Innovative R&D pipeline with about 40 ongoing development projects
- Recognized leadership in core therapeutic areas: Oncology (Erbitux®), Neurodegenerative diseases (Rebif®), and Fertility (GONAL-f®)
- Established presence in other therapeutic areas: CardioMetabolic Care (Concor®), Endocrinology (Saizen®) and Dermatology (Raptiva®)
- Emerging presence in new therapeutic areas arising from research and development in Autoimmune and Inflammatory diseases, with advanced development projects in Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Unparalleled track record for stringent due diligence and successful partnering
At Merck Serono, we are committed to success through partnerships. We achieve this through dedicated alliance managers, joint project teams, a governance structure facilitating decision-making, open communications and an unfailing pursuit of common goals. That commitment, and our ability to deliver on it, makes Merck Serono the partner of choice.
The proof is in the partnering. Flexibility in deal-making and a willingness to take risk for highly innovative products are the hallmarks of Merck Serono. Some examples:
1998 – Imclone Systems
Merck Serono has a co-development agreement (ex-North America) with Imclone Systems for Erbitux, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Erbitux was among the most successful product launches in Europe to date. It is currently registered for colorectal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and is in late-stage development in numerous other EGFR-expressing tumors.
2004 – ZymoGenetics
Merck Serono and ZymoGenetics have established a broad partnership to research, develop and commercialize novel protein and antibody therapeutics. The partnership includes the exclusive worldwide license to Merck Serono to develop and commercialize products based on Fibroblast Growth Factor 18, Interleukin 22 Receptors and co-development of products based on Interleukin 31. This strategic research alliance is in addition to the earlier co-development agreement with ZymoGenetics for atacicept (formerly referred to as TACI-Ig), a genetic fusion molecule, currently in late stage development in Lupus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis.
2005 – Survac ApS
Following the acquisition of the Danish Biotechnology company Survac ApS, Merck Serono has gained access to novel technologies for the treatment of cancer. The founders of Survac developed a technology to identity and modify peptides that are useful for therapeutic cancer vaccines. The acquisition of all intellectual property owned by Survac includes a broad patent portfolio in the area of proteins essential for the survival of cancer cells. A cancer vaccine is in exploratory clinical trials.
2007 – Archemix
Merck Serono has formed a multi-year strategic alliance with Archemix Corp. of Cambridge, Massachusetts to discover, develop and commercialize first-in-class aptamer therapeutics with a primary focus on the treatment of cancer. Additional areas of the collaboration include autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The alliance combines Archemix' proprietary SELEX® technology to discover and generate aptamer candidates with Merck Serono's drug development and commercialization capabilities. In addition, Merck Serono is granted a license to use Archemix' SELEX® technology for internal target validation.