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Pipeline

Tomorrow’s therapeutic innovations
At Merck Serono, we believe that a healthier future deserves a sizeable investment. Our commitment to discovering and developing new therapies can be seen in the 22% of total revenues which we devote each year to research and development activities.
Our R&D pipeline is well-stocked with many promising candidates. In addition to our core therapy areas, we are exploring new therapeutic directions that will bring innovative treatment options to patients in areas of high unmet medical need.
 
Pipeline
R&D August 2010  
Merck Serono’s key research areas and pipeline compounds

Oncology

Merck Serono’s focus on the development of targeted cancer therapies is on three therapeutic platforms: targeting the tumor cell, the tumor environment and the immune system.

Key projects in clinical development include:

  • Erbitux, where we continue to explore additional indications such as non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer
  • Stimuvax, therapeutic cancer vaccine
  • Cilengitide, integrin inhibitor, anti-angiogenic
  • Targeted antitumoral biologicals and small-molecule inhibitors in early clinical phase

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Merck Serono is conducting research to develop innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson‘s disease.

Late-stage projects in clinical development include:

  • Safinamide, an adjunct therapy for Parkinson’s
  • Cladribine tablets, a potential oral therapy for MS.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases (AIID)

Merck Serono’s research on inflammation focuses on proteins that modulate key pathogenic mechanisms in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Key projects in clinical development include:

  • Atacicept (TACI-Ig), a soluble ligand antagonist controlling B-lymphocyte responses that could be useful in the treatment of a range of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 
  • FGF18 (Fibroblast growth factor 18) in osteoarthritis

Fertility

Merck Serono is the world leader in fertility treatment. Our vision is to develop and market innovative products to help infertile couples at every stage of the reproductive cycle, from follicular development to early pregnancy.

Endocrinology

We pursue focused development to respond to significant unmet medical needs in targeted indications:

  • Tesamoralin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, for the treatment of excess abdominal fat in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. (In the United States)
  • ARX 201, a long-acting human growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone deficiencies

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