SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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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 February, 2003
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).)
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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)(7).)
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(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- )
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[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
SERONO
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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SERONO AND GENENTECH EXPAND RAPTIVA AGREEMENT TO ADDITIONAL EMERGING MARKETS IN
ASIA
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - FEBRUARY 6, 2003 - SERONO S.A. (VIRT-X: SEO AND NYSE: SRA)
Serono announced today that Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) has extended Serono's
exclusive license to develop and market Raptiva(TM) (efalizumab) to include an
additional 15 Asian countries. This expands the scope of the Genentech-Serono
collaboration for Raptiva(TM), which was first established in August 2002.
"The extension of our territory under this important license agreement
highlights Serono's considerable presence in Asia and will enable us to bring an
innovative new therapy to patients with psoriasis in a region with great growth
potential," said Ernesto Bertarelli, Chief Executive Officer of Serono.
The 15 countries included in the extended agreement are China, S. Korea, Taiwan,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Myanmar and Brunei.
As a result of the new agreement, Serono will now develop and market Raptiva(TM)
worldwide outside of the United States and Japan. Development and marketing
rights in the United States remain with Genentech and its U.S. partner XOMA
(Nasdaq: XOMA). Genentech retains exclusive marketing rights in Japan.
Serono plans to file for approval of Raptiva(TM) for moderate to severe
psoriasis in Europe in the first quarter of this year and in most of the
countries included in this new agreement in the first half of 2004. Genentech
and XOMA announced submission of a Biologics License application for Raptiva(TM)
to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 23, 2002.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Raptiva(TM) is a
recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody under evaluation for the treatment of
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and is in phase 2 trials for rheumatoid
arthritis.
-more-
ABOUT SERONO
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has six recombinant
products on the market, Gonal-F(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R)/Ovitrelle(R),
Rebif(R), Serostim(R) and Saizen(R) (Luveris(R) is not approved in the USA). In
addition to being the world leader in reproductive health, Serono has strong
market positions in neurology, metabolism and growth. The Company's research
programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new
therapeutic areas. Currently, there are over 30 projects in development.
In 2002, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$1.546 billion, and a net
income of US$321 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the
world. The Company operates in 45 countries, and its products are sold in over
100 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 RAPTIVA(TM)
Raptiva(TM) is designed to inhibit the adhesion of T-lymphocytes to other cell
types by inhibiting the binding of LFA-1 to ICAM-1. This mechanism of action has
a number of effects depending upon the cell type, which include: (1) inhibition
of T-lymphocyte interactions with tissue-specific cells, (2) inhibition of
T-lymphocyte migration, (3) inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation, proliferation
and cytokine release. In the Phase III studies, Raptiva(TM) was given as a
once-a-week subcutaneous injection.
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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 May 21 2002. 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.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
SERONO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND:
MEDIA RELATIONS: 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: SEOZ.VX / SRA.N
--------------------- Bloomberg: SEO VX / SRA US
SERONO, INC., ROCKLAND, MA
MEDIA RELATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Tel. +1 781 681 2340 Tel. +1 781 681 2552
Fax: +1 781 681 2935 Fax: +1 781 681 2912
http://www.seronousa.com
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GENENTECH:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tara Cooper: +1 (650) 225-5505
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Kathee Littrell: +1 (650) 225-1034
www.gene.com
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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)
February 6, 2003 By: /s/ Allan Shaw
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Name: Allan Shaw
Title: Chief Financial Officer