Serono to evaluate fertility products

Serono has announced it has entered into a new agreement with Syntronix Pharmaceuticals to evaluate and license worldwide rights to commercialise and develop Syntronix’s fertility drugs.

Syntronix, a Massachusetts-based company, has developed candidates for a long-acting, inhaled follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH ) therapy, which Serono will examine.

Under the terms of the agreement, Serono will pay an upfront collaboration and option fee. Should it decide to take up its right to further develop and market one of Syntronix’s FSH:fc technology drugs, Serono will pay a further upfront licensing fee, as well as milestones worth up to $54 million (28.7 million pounds).

Steve Arkinsall, head of the Serono Research Institute, stated: “Serono is the only company to offer a comprehensive portfolio of state-of-the-art fertility medications for every stage of the treatment process for both men and women, and we are constantly investigating new therapies and improvements to current options.”

He added that the company was “excited” about the potential to offer FSH therapy users a new treatment delivery method, which could be more convenient.

Serono claims to be the world leader in fertility treatment, although it is expanding into neurology, metabolism and growth, as well as launching a recent foray into the psoriasis treatment market with Raptiva.

In July, the Swiss company announced a seven-year trial to provide further proof of Raptiva’s long-term safety profile. The drug is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in cases patients have not responded to, or cannot take, therapies like cyclosporine or methotrexate.