PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Open Monoclonal Technology, Inc. (OMT), a leader in the genetic engineering of animals for development of human therapeutic antibodies, today announced expansion of their collaboration agreement from June 2012. Under the terms of the new agreement, EMD Serono will make an upfront payment to secure unlimited access to the OmniRat platform as well as success-based development milestones and royalties. Further details of the contract are not being disclosed.

The expansion of our collaboration with OMT is reflective of its strong quality and the significant progress we've made together over the last 15 months," said Dr. Annalisa Jenkins, Executive Vice President and head of Global Research & Development for Merck Serono, a biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. This is a good example of our focus on exploring targeted partnerships with innovative companies such as OMT, with the goal of generating access to technologies that advance our capabilities in biotech development.

Dr. Roland Buelow, founder and CEO of OMT, said: "EMD Seronos transition to unlimited platform access is evidence of their success with OmniRat on multiple therapeutic targets during the past 15 months. The expansion illustrates how OMT provides its partners with access to complementary platforms for discovery of superior antibodies against challenging targets in a cost-effective fashion.

About Merck KGaA

Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with total revenues of 11.2 billion in 2012, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately 38,000 employees in 66 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the US subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since. For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com or http://www.merckgroup.com.

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a specialized biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies with ground breaking potential. The company has strong market positions in neurology, endocrinology and reproductive health. In addition, EMD Serono has an enduring commitment to solve the unsolvable, with state-of-the-art science dedicated to developing new therapies in the core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immune oncology and immunology. With a long-standing history of industry expertise and a dedication to shape the future of healthcare, the companys US footprint continues to grow, with approximately 1,000 employees around the country and fully integrated commercial, clinical and research operations in its home state, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit http://www.emdserono.com.

Open Monoclonal Technology, Inc.

Open Monoclonal Technology, Inc. (OMT) is a leader in genetic engineering of animals for discovery of human therapeutic antibodies naturally optimized human antibodies.

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EMD Serono and Open Monoclonal Technology Expand Collaboration to Include Unlimited Access to OmniRat® Human Antibody ...

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