Merck Serono and Flamel to collaborate on extended release formulation

Flamel Technologies, of Lyons in France, has entered into a collaboration with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, to investigate the applicability of Flamel's Medusa technology for the extended release of a therapeutic protein of Merck Serono's portfolio.

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck Serono will make an upfront payment of Euro 2m to Flamel for investigating the therapeutic protein and Merck Serono will fund r&d efforts to be performed at Flamel. Financial terms of a license agreement up through potential commercialisation of this formulation have been agreed between the parties.

Medusa, a self-assembled poly-aminoacid nanoparticle system, is a versatile carrier for the development of novel long-acting formulations of proteins, peptides, and other molecules.

The Medusa platform enables the controlled delivery of fully-human, non-denatured proteins with full bioactivity. A new microparticulate adaptation of Medusa has been developed that potentially can extend pharmacokinetics to two weeks or more, offering an infusion-like release profile, also without loss of bioactivity.

"This partnership with Flamel, 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 with standard formulations, we hope to offer an improved convenience for patients requiring treatment by injection."