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Serono Expands in MS

 
• By Hazel Dawson

Serono's in-licensing deal with Amgen for marketed multiple sclerosis drug mitoxantrone (Novantrone) is the Swiss group's latest move to broaden its MS franchise, currently dominated by interferon beta-1a (Rebif). Novantrone gives Serono a second marketed product in a market where competition--already hot--may soon get even hotter.

Merck Serono SA 's in-licensing deal with Amgen Inc. for marketed multiple sclerosis drug mitoxantrone (Novantrone) is the Swiss group's latest move to broaden its MS franchise, currently dominated by interferon beta-1a (Rebif) [See Deal]. With sales of $380 million in the year-to-date, Rebif accounts for nearly 40% of Serono's revenues, and will become more important still following its launch last March in the US, where Pfizer Inc. signed up to co-promote the drug in July [See Deal].

Novantrone—developed by Immunex Corp. , which Amgen acquired in July 2002 [See Deal]—is a cytotoxic agent that inhibits immune cell function. Originally approved as a chemotherapeutic for use...

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