Merck Serono and Flamel Technologies have entered into a collaboration to investigate the applicability of Flamel's Medusa technology for the extended release of a therapeutic protein of Merck Serono’s portfolio. Merck Serono will make an upfront payment of $2.8 million to Flamel for investigating the therapeutic protein and will fund R&D efforts performed by Flamel. Financial terms, including a license agreement to cover potential commercialization, were not disclosed.

"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Flamel, as it gives Merck Serono access to a technology that may further improve the therapeutic potential of compounds in our portfolio," said Bernhard Kirschbaum, Merck Serono's head of research. "As Flamel's Medusa technology allows for longer intervals between administrations of injectable proteins compared to standard formulations, we hope to offer an improved convenience for patients requiring treatment by injection. As a consequence, we anticipate that employing this technology will lead to better treatment outcomes for patients."

Stephen H. Willard, Flamel's chief executive officer, remarked, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Merck Serono. The Medusa platform is a best-in-class technology for the controlled delivery of proteins, peptides, and other molecules. This applicability to a wide range of molecules is a key strength of the platform, as is the ability to sustain release without affecting bioactivity. Merck Serono is the ideal partner for this project and we look forward to working together on such an exciting opportunity."