Merck Serono launches not-for-profit EspeRare Foundation

Merck Serono has announced the launch of the EspeRare Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established through its Entrepreneur Partnership Programme (EPP).

Set up by three Merck Serono employees, the foundation will dedicate itself to advancing the development of new treatments for rare diseases, with the help of an initial 2.8 million euro (2.41 million pounds) funding injection from the company.

In addition, Merck Serono is granting the organisation rights to the developmental compound rimeporide in order to study its potential benefits as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Francois Naef, chairman of the board of directors of Merck Serono, said: "The foundation will play a central role by pioneering a collaborative system that brings together the right stakeholders to explore the therapeutic value of existing compounds."

The EspeRare Foundation is the seventh new entity to be created through the EPP scheme, following the launch of the inflammatory bowel disease-focused healthcare business Calypso Biotech last month.