Merck Serono and EPFL announce neuroscience, oncology and drug delivery partnership

Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, and EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, announced the signing of a research collaboration agreement in the areas of Neuroscience, Oncology and Drug Delivery. Under this agreement, three Merck Serono-endowed Chairs will be created at EPFL: in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's; in cancer, in the framework of the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); and in innovative drug delivery technologies, for instance nanoparticle vaccines.

Merck Serono will make a total donation of CHF 12.5 million for the Chairs. The professors heading the Merck Serono Chairs will be hired in a way consistent with the quality standards of EPFL.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with one of the world-renowned places of scientific and technical expertise," said Elmar Schnee, President of Merck Serono. "Our collaboration will contribute to the advancement of basic research in areas of high unmet medical needs, such as Neuroscience and Oncology, and to the improvement of drug delivery methods to more effectively treat patients with existing and new medicines. This collaboration will promote the general excellence of the Lake Geneva region in life sciences."

In order to develop the scope of collaboration at the highest academic level and open major perspectives in terms of new therapies and medical applications, Merck Serono will also open a research fund at EPFL of up to CHF 3 million per year over five years.

"This partnership is a great win-win situation", said EPFL President Patrick Aebischer. "It will allow EPFL researchers to participate in the development of drugs for serious human conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and our students to better understand the needs of the life sciences industry."

This agreement between Merck Serono and EPFL sets a new standard in academic-industrial partnerships. It illustrates the quality of research in Switzerland and also underlines the potential of transdisciplinary projects that bring together expertise and resources in life sciences, basic sciences, information technology and engineering.

The partnership's success will be confirmed through novel therapeutic strategies, academic performance (scientific publications and conferences) and educational opportunities.