GENEVA, December 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Serono, a
division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced a strategic
collaboration with the Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe)
and the Department of Neurology of the San Raffaele Scientific
Institute (Milan, Italy) to
advance clinical research projects in multiple sclerosis and
neurodegenerative diseases.
This collaboration follows previous agreements, initially
started in 2004, and extends the partnership between both the two
parties for three years. It will provide support for basic science
research at INSpe to further the understanding of multiple
sclerosis and offer a match of skills and competencies to bring
forward new potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
The San Raffaele Scientific Institute will provide its know-how and
its models to evaluate the efficacy of the compounds developed by
Merck Serono in preclinical and clinical studies in patients. Merck
Serono will also fund active doctoral programs in this area of
research.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue our work
with the San Raffaele Scientific Institute and its teams of
experts, which will support our efforts to develop translational
medicine technologies and models," said Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President
for Global Research and Development at Merck Serono. "This
collaboration follows our commitment to further build a network of
alliances with clinical research institutions to ensure a constant
flow of innovation into our organisation."
Professor Giancarlo Comi,
director of the Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe) and the
Department of Neurology of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute,
stated: "The Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe) was
conceived to develop innovative therapies in inflammatory and
neurodegenerative central nervous system diseases. This agreement
extends a positive and productive collaboration and opens up great
opportunities associated with the complementary skills possessed by
the two contracting parties. We intend to accelerate research to
the clinical development in order to offer our patients the most
advanced therapeutic options."
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany, a global
pharmaceutical and chemical company. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers,
develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both
chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. In
the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates through separately
incorporated affiliates.
Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer
(Erbitux(R), cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R), interferon
beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f(R), follitropin alfa), endocrine and
metabolic disorders (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), somatropin),
(Kuvan(R), sapropterin dihydrochloride) as well as cardiometabolic
diseases (Glucophage(R), metformin), (Concor(R), bisoprolol),
(Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine). Not all products are available in all
markets.
With an annual R&D expenditure of over EUR 1bn, Merck Serono is committed to growing its
business in specialist-focused therapeutic areas including
neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, fertility and endocrinology,
as well as new areas potentially arising out of research and
development in rheumatology.
About Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total
revenues of EUR 7.7 billion in 2009,
a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately
40,000 (including Merck Millipore) employees in 64 countries. Its
success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial
employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of
Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70%
interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%.
In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and
has been an independent company ever since.
For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com or
http://www.merck.de