Compugen, Merck Serono Enter Inflammatory Drug Pact

Posted on November 26, 2008 @ 08:45 am

Compugen Ltd. has signed a collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA, a division of Merck Serono, for CGEN-855, Compugen's novel peptide targeting the FPRL1 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). This peptide has demonstrated the potential to treat inflammatory diseases and other indications such as cancer, metabolism and cardiovascular diseases.
    
Under the agreement, Compugen will conduct additional research and Merck Serono has an option to exclusively license the peptide for worldwide development and commercialization.
   
“We are very proud to add Merck Serono to the growing list of leading pharma companies with which we have collaborations for the advancement of our product candidates,” said Compugen chief executive officer, Mr. Alex Kotzer. “We are also pleased to be the first Israeli biotech company that has signed an agreement with Merck Serono under the Global Enterprise Partnership program of the Chief Scientist of Israel.”