SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of November, 2004
Serono S.A.
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(Registrant's Name)
15 bis, Chemin des Mines
Case Postale 54
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
1-15096
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(Commission File No.)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(1).) ______
(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(7).) ______
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes No X
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(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-______)
Serono Nautilus
Biotech
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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SERONO AND NAUTILUS BIOTECH
SIGN WORLDWIDE AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE
A NEXT-GENERATION GROWTH HORMONE
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND AND PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 15, 2004 -
Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA) and protein evolution company Nautilus
Biotech (Private) announced today that they have signed an agreement under which
Serono and Nautilus will work together to develop the next-generation of human
growth hormone, with improved biological, pharmacological and clinical profiles.
This improved version of human growth hormone would allow less frequent
injections of this therapeutic protein which is currently administered daily.
Under the terms of the agreement, Serono will receive an exclusive license to
develop the next-generation human growth hormone and an exclusive option to
license exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize
improved variants of the protein generated by Nautilus's rational evolution
technology, a process mimicking natural evolution. In return, Nautilus will
receive an initial fee and potential milestone payments related to development
progress, regulatory submissions and approvals. If a new version of growth
hormone is successfully developed and registered worldwide, and Serono exercises
its option right, the aggregate amount of these payments could reach Euro 19
million. Nautilus will also receive undisclosed royalties on sales of the
improved protein.
"Serono has a long-term commitment to people with endocrine and metabolic
disorders requiring growth hormone treatment", said Tim Wells, Senior Executive
VP Research of Serono. "We believe that the rational evolution technology of
Nautilus represents a promising approach to generate growth hormone variants
with great potential to deliver improved patient care."
"Serono has an impressive track record in the development and marketing of
protein therapeutics," said Manuel Vega CEO of Nautilus Biotech. " We are
confident that in Serono we have found a strong and committed partner to fully
exploit the power of our protein improvement technology and to develop this new
product as a competitive improvement to currently marketed alternatives. This
agreement with Serono, a world leader in protein pharmaceuticals, validates our
strategy and business model in the area of biopharmaceuticals".
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Serono forward-looking statements
Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such
statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of
Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different from those expected or
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
based on Serono's current expectations and assumptions, which may be affected by
a number of factors, including those discussed in this press release and more
fully described in Serono's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2004. These factors include any
failure or delay in Serono's ability to develop new products, any failure to
receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing
current products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to
obtain reimbursement coverage for our products, and government regulations
limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono has no responsibility to
update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
#####
ABOUT SERONO
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has eight biotechnology
products, Rebif(R), Gonal-F(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R)/Ovitrelle(R),
Serostim(R), Saizen(R), Zorbtive(TM) and Raptiva(R) . In addition to being the
world leader in reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in
neurology, metabolism and growth and has recently entered the psoriasis area.
The Company's research programs are focused on growing these businesses and on
establishing new therapeutic areas. Currently, there are approximately 30
ongoing development projects.
In 2003, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,018.6 million, and a net
income of US$390.0 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the
world. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. Bearer shares of Serono S.A.,
the holding company, are traded on the virt-x (SEO) and its American Depositary
Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).
ABOUT NAUTILUS BIOTECH
Nautilus is focused on improving and developing next generation protein
pharmaceuticals. Using its proprietary and unique technologies, Nautilus has
generated a pipeline of improved therapeutic protein molecules with single amino
acid substitutions; and has IP claims on 20 improved cytokines. Long lasting
interferon alpha and interferon beta, presently in preclinical development, are
Nautilus' lead molecules. Nautilus Biotech is a privately owned, VC backed
company, founded in late 1999. More about Nautilus: www.nautilusbiotech.com
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
SERONO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND:
CORPORATE MEDIA RELATIONS: CORPORATE INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Tel: +41 22 739 36 00 Tel: +41 22 739 36 01
Fax: +41 22 739 30 85 Fax: +41 22 739 30 22
http://www.serono.com Reuters: SEO.VX / SRA.N
--------------------- Bloomberg: SEO VX / SRA US
SERONO, INC., ROCKLAND, MA:
MEDIA RELATIONS, USA: INVESTOR RELATIONS, USA:
Tel: +1 781 681 2486 Tel: +1 781 681 2552
Fax: +1 781 681 2935 Fax: +1 781 681 2912
http://www.seronousa.com
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NAUTILUS BIOTECH:
Jon Watts, VP Business Development Manuel Vega, CEO
jwatts@nautilusbiotech.com mvega@nautilusbiotech.com
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Tel: +44.1488.670.130 Tel: +33. (0) 1.60.87.54.60
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SERONO S.A.
a Swiss corporation
(Registrant)
November 15, 2004 By: /s/ Francois Naef
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Name: Francois Naef
Title: Secretary