GENEVA, Switzerland, January 13 /PRNewswire/ --

- Merck Serono and Apitope to Collaborate on Development and Commercialization of ATX-MS-1467, Apitope's Peptide Therapeutic for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today the signature of a research, development and commercialization agreement with Apitope Technology (Bristol) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Apitope International NV. Under this agreement, Apitope has granted exclusive worldwide rights to Merck Serono to develop and commercialize Apitope's product ATX-MS-1467. This peptide therapeutic has completed an initial clinical study in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is designed to induce immunological tolerance of the body's T-cells to key autoantigens involved in the pathogenesis of MS.

ATX-MS-1467 is a novel peptide-based therapeutic derived from Apitope's proprietary technology platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Apitope will receive an upfront payment and will initially be responsible for the further development of ATX-MS-1467, for which Merck Serono will fund the costs. Merck Serono will be responsible for all development activities from the beginning of Phase II clinical trials. Merck Serono will also provide committed funding to Apitope for research on other novel therapeutic peptides for the treatment of MS.

Under the terms of the agreement, Apitope is eligible to receive up to EUR 154 million in upfront, development and commercialization milestone payments, in addition to royalties on the net sales of products resulting from the collaboration.

This partnership with Apitope strengthens our position as a leader in the field of innovative research and development in multiple sclerosis, said Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President Research and Development at Merck Serono. ATX-MS-1467 represents a novel, targeted approach and may have the potential to complement existing MS drugs by offering a novel mode of action. By applying our existing stratified medicine approaches, we will also identify those MS patients who should benefit most from this potential treatment.

We are very pleased that ATX-MS-1467 has attracted a major pharmaceutical partner such as Merck Serono with extensive experience and leadership in the development of therapies for multiple sclerosis, said Keith Martin, CEO of Apitope. We view this collaboration as confirmation of Apitope's ability to develop early-stage first-in-class therapies for autoimmune diseases. In addition to continuing to build our in-house diagnostic platform in MS, we look forward to progressing ATX-MS-1467 with Merck Serono.

ATX-MS-1467 consists of four short peptides that are derived from myelin basic protein, a key autoantigen in MS. It is specifically designed to target up to 70 % of MS patients who have a specific genetic profile.

About multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 2.5 million people suffer from MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.

About Merck Serono and multiple sclerosis

Merck Serono is a leader in multiple sclerosis (MS) with Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a), a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of MS, which is registered in more than 80 countries worldwide. Full prescribing information for this product can be obtained by contacting the Company or visiting its website. Additional therapeutic options are currently under development at Merck Serono, including oral cladribine, currently in Phase III and potentially the first oral therapy for MS, as well as several products in early stage development. Merck Serono is also taking a leading role in developing an understanding of the role of genetics in MS.

About Apitope

Apitope International NV is a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Hasselt, Belgium, and a subsidiary in Bristol, England. The Company is developing novel products to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of chronic autoimmune and allergic disorders. Apitope's therapeutic peptide technology platform is based on established scientific evidence showing that soluble, synthetic peptides can reinstate tolerance and selectively attenuate pathological immune responses. The ApitopesTM (Antigen Processing Independent epiTOPES) inhibit the immune system's harmful attack on the body while preserving normal immune responses to harmful antigens, such as infections. Apitope's portfolio includes novel peptide therapies for MS as well as other autoimmune diseases and common allergies. Apitope is also developing novel diagnostic products for the early detection of autoimmune diseases such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Apitope is backed by LRM; Vesalius Biocapital; Fast Forward, VINNOF; Hasselt University; The Wellcome Trust; the Daniels family, Wyvern Seedcorn Fund and the University of Bristol; Innovator Capital Limited advised on the recent funding rounds.

For more information, please go to http://www.apitope.com

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription pharmaceuticals of Merck, a global pharmaceutical and chemical group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative small molecules and biopharmaceuticals to help patients with unmet medical needs. Its North American business operates in the United States and Canada as EMD Serono.

Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer (Erbitux(R)), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R)), infertility (Gonal-f(R)), endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), Concor(R), Euthyrox(R), Saizen(R), Serostim(R)), as well as psoriasis (Raptiva(R)).

With an annual RD expenditure of around EUR 1bn, Merck Serono is committed to growing its business in specialist-focused therapeutic areas including neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as new areas potentially arising out of research and development in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of EUR 7.1 billion in 2007, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 32,458 employees in 59 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.net or http://www.merck.de

Merck Serono, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland; Media Relations, Tel: +41-22-414-36-00