•    Agreement for research in neurodegenerative diseases continues collaboration to develop pre-clinical and clinical research projects with a translational approach
  •    Research to focus on developing innovative therapies against serious and disabling neurological diseases affecting young adults in particular

DARMSTADT, Germany I July 24, 2014 I Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, and the Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), part of San Raffaele University and Research Hospital in Milan, Italy, announced today the continuation of a strategic alliance to develop pre-clinical and clinical research projects in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.

The research will focus on developing innovative therapies against serious and disabling neurological diseases affecting young adults in particular, such as multiple sclerosis. Established in 2004, the renewal of the partnership extends the agreement between the parties for two additional years.

“Merck Serono is pleased to continue the collaborative alliance with the San Raffaele Scientific Institute,” said Harsukh Parmar, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Research & Early Development, Immunology & Neurologyat Merck Serono. “Our translational approach to these disease states and combined commitment to expediting the discovery of new therapies aims to improve health outcomes for patients living with unmet medical needs.”

“The co-operation between pharmaceutical companies and both private and public research institutes is a fundamental instrument to finance the research, a delicate and critical issue,” said Professor Giancarlo Comi, director of INSPE and of the department of neurology at San Raffaele Hospital. “In compliance with the respective prerogatives and role of research institutions and companies in the pharmaceutical market, these forms of collaboration allow research institutes to actively participate as real drivers at the development of new therapies and at the definition of biomarkers, as essential tools for the drugs optimization.”

San Raffaele University and Research Hospital will provide its know-how and its laboratories to develop new therapies and to evaluate the effectiveness of the molecules developed by Merck Serono.

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.

For more information, please visit www.merckserono.com.

SOURCE: Merck Serono