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 20% 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.
R&D October 2008
Merck Serono’s key research areas and pipeline compounds
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, potentially the first 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. Within the AIID area, we focus on rheumatology, osteoarthritis and dermatology.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. It is also being explored in other therapeutic areas including Neurodegenerative Diseases (MS) and oncology (B-cell malignancies)
- 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.Projects in clinical development include:
- Hyperglycosylated FSH for infertility (Ovulation induction and Assisted Reproductive Therapies)
Endocrinology
We persue focused development to respond to significant unmet medical needs in targeted indications:- Recombinant growth hormone for HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS)
- Sapropterin for the treatment of hyperphenylalaninemia in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) or tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency
