About Merck Serono Oncology
Merck Serono Oncology is focused on developing novel cancer-specific therapies that provide beneficial therapeutic outcomes and create new options for cancer patients.
Key to Merck Serono’s success in oncology is the research and development of agents that not only have a combined approach when it comes to targeting tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment, and the innate and adaptive immune system, but also show potential for combination with standard cancer therapies and with other novel products in our pipeline.
Merck Serono chose a rational approach to define its target areas:
- TUMOR CELL
The elimination of the tumor cell remains the essential goal for cancer therapies. Given that there are a variety of ways to achieve this goal, Merck Serono’s oncology pipeline includes therapies with a wide range of possible actions against tumor cells, especially interference with proliferation and survival pathways, offering efficacy against many different tumor types.
- TUMOR ENVIRONMENT
Tumor cells are vulnerable not only to the direct effects of cancer therapies, but also to strategies that render their environment hostile. Tumor cells secrete angiogenic factors into their environment that activate endothelial cells and promote capillary sprouting in order to establish new vasculature. Angiogenesis can be blocked by inhibiting the release of proangiogenic factors or by blocking integrin-mediated pathways, which play a fundamental role in endothelial cell proliferation. Blocking angiogenesis denies the tumor its principal means of creating a sustaining environment, and reduces the potential for metastases.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the tumor environment is an important contributor to the greatly reduced dependence on exogenous growth stimulation of tumor cells. Neutralizing such tumor growth factors by decoy receptors is another promising approach to targeting the tumor environment.
- IMMUNE SYSTEM
Immunotherapies that enhance the ability of the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer are another central area of research and development for Merck Serono Oncology. Specifically, immunotherapy approaches include therapeutic cancer vaccines that should help to generate tumor-specific immune responses, immunocytokines, as well as various ways to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression.
Combination is key for Merck Serono, not only in developing products that target multiple aspects of the disease process and are suitable for use in combination with established standard therapies, but also for:
Combining innovative thinking with intelligent research and technical excellence
Merck Serono has brought together a dedicated group of individuals who can look beyond conventional horizons to explore further possibilities. They have the experience and motivation we need to identify potential therapeutic targets and develop novel cancer treatment strategies.
Combining insights, experience and skills
Merck Serono is committed to working in partnership with oncology experts, patients and healthcare providers. We strive to meet the needs of patients for better medicines, and to improve access to these medicines by collaborative teamwork and sharing of skills. Moreover, this strategy combines the efficacy of radiotherapy, surgery, and medical treatments to create a multidisciplinary approach for the benefit of cancer patients everywhere.
Merck Serono’s diverse oncology pipeline is comprised of compounds in various indications between preclinical and Phase III.