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 June, 2005
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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SERONO [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRIORITY HEALTHCARE (TM)
MEDIA RELEASE
SERONO, INC. AND PRIORITY HEALTHCARE CORPORATION FORM
A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
LEADERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH JOIN TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE OFFERINGS OF PATIENT
SUPPORT SERVICES AND PHARMACY FULFILLMENT
ROCKLAND, MA, AND LAKE MARY, FL, JUNE 14, 2005 - SERONO, INC. (VIRT-X SEO AND
NYSE: SRA) AND PRIORITY HEALTHCARE CORPORATION (NASDAQ: PHCC) announced today
the formation of a strategic alliance, under which both companies will offer the
fertility marketplace expanded and unprecedented support to consumers, patients,
healthcare providers and managed care organizations.
The announcement marks a first-of-its-kind alliance between the market leaders
in reproductive health: Serono is the worldwide leader in reproductive health
and Priority Healthcare's Freedom Drug(TM) is the nation's largest fertility
specialty pharmacy. Together, both companies will offer unique, comprehensive
services that will increase efficiencies and conveniences for infertility
patients, encourage consumers with fertility concerns to seek early diagnosis,
make available valuable savings for patients without fertility drug coverage,
and increase the potential for patients to continue fertility treatment.
Under the agreement, Freedom Drug will become the preferred specialty pharmacy
for fulfillment of Serono fertility products dispensed in the United States. The
companies will also develop new fertility awareness and patient education
programs to be offered through Serono's Fertility LifeLines(TM), a free and
confidential information and support service available at 1-866-LETS-TRY. Serono
and Freedom Drug will promote these enhanced support services to consumers,
patients, healthcare providers and managed care organizations through the
alignment of marketing and sales activities.
"This unique alliance is a strategic initiative entirely new to the fertility
market," said Fereydoun Firouz, President, Serono, Inc. "Awareness of
infertility remains an important issue in our society and increasing knowledge
is essential. Together, we will increase capacity to offer not only access to
fertility treatment through convenient and streamlined fulfillment, but also
access to information, education and support for the millions that are facing
infertility."
"Our relationship with Serono is longstanding and highly valued. We welcome the
opportunity to expand our partnership with the market leader and support the
growth of the fertility marketplace through this alliance," added Steve Cosler,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Priority Healthcare. "This is another
example of an innovative channel partnership with a key manufacturer to provide
tremendous value to patients, physicians and payors."
- more -
The strategic alliance builds market value through a full continuum of programs
and services that benefit all major stakeholders in the fertility marketplace:
- CONSUMERS not presently in treatment benefit from increased awareness
of infertility and treatment options. This strategic alliance will
promote early diagnosis and treatment, as well as assist individuals
in finding healthcare providers for initial consultations through
Serono's Fertility LifeLines at 1-866-LETS-TRY.
- PATIENTS starting or in treatment benefit from support services and
valuable savings on Serono fertility products for those without
fertility drug coverage as well as programs from Serono's Fertility
LifeLines at 1-866-LETS-TRY, that are designed to improve therapy
understanding, increase the potential for patients to continue
fertility treatment and increase access to care.
- HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS benefit from patient education programs as well
as 24x7 access to Serono fertility product information and support for
their patients.
- MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS will be provided the opportunity to
optimize infertility spend while enhancing services for patients and
healthcare providers.
"We've scored a first by combining our market reach with the largest
one-of-a-kind portfolio of services for every stage of the treatment process
resulting in multiple benefits to the fertility marketplace," said Bharat
Tewarie, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President, Reproductive Health, Serono, Inc.
"We believe the creation of this alliance is a key next step in our effort as
leaders to create long-term value in the marketplace, improve the patient
experience and increase access to care."
"We're excited to add our best-in-class pharmacy fulfillment service to Serono's
enhanced Fertility LifeLines as well as add other new programs to a
comprehensive portfolio of education and support services available through this
alliance," said Kim Rondeau, Executive Vice President, Pharmacy Sales and
Marketing, Priority Healthcare. "By promoting awareness about infertility, we
can help more individuals seek early diagnosis, which may increase the potential
for treatment success."
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT SERONO, INC. AND FERTILITY
Serono, Inc., a subsidiary of Serono S.A., is a leader in fertility health,
dedicated to developing patient-friendly, innovative products that help people
build families. It is the only company to offer a full portfolio of fertility
medications for every stage of the reproductive cycle and recombinant versions
of three hormones used in the treatment of infertility, including the Gonal-f(R)
RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection).
ABOUT FERTILITY LIFELINES(TM)
Fertility LifeLines is a free and confidential educational service, designed to
make infertility issues easier to manage emotionally and financially. Consumers
and patients can now access special benefits and potential savings on fertility
medications, including Gonal-f(R), by calling Fertility LifeLines toll-free at
1-866-LETS-TRY (1-866-538-7879). Staffed with fertility, nurses, benefits
specialists and customer service representatives, Fertility LifeLines is
available Monday to Friday from 8 am to midnight ET and Saturday and Sunday from
8am to 6pm ET.
ABOUT PRIORITY HEALTHCARE AND FREEDOM DRUG(TM)
Priority Healthcare is the premier healthcare services company providing
innovative, high-quality and cost-effective solutions that enhance quality of
life. As a national specialty pharmacy and distributor, Priority Healthcare
provides biopharmaceuticals, complex therapies, related disease treatment
programs and a portfolio of other service offerings for patients, payors,
physicians and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The growing number of specialty
areas serviced by Priority Healthcare include: oncology, gastroenterology,
reproductive endocrinology, neurology, hematology, pulmonology, ophthalmology,
rheumatology, endocrinology, infectious disease and nephrology, as well as
ambulatory surgery centers. Additional information regarding Priority Healthcare
is available online at www.priorityhealthcare.com.
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Freedom Drug is the nation's largest specialty pharmacy devoted exclusively to
infertility. Its pioneering approach to expert infertility care, known as the
Freedom Advantage, offers a range of clinical and financial benefits for
patients, physicians, payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
ABOUT SERONO S.A.
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
worldwide 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, including oncology. Currently, there are
approximately 25 ongoing development projects.
In 2004, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,458.1 million, and a net
income of US$494.2 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).
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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 March 16, 2005. 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, the outcome of government
investigations and litigation 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
Certain statements included in this press release, which are not historical
facts, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations
or beliefs and involve certain risks and uncertainties, including those
described in our public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission; also including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates,
competitive pressures, changes in customer mix, changes in third party
reimbursement rates, financial stability of major customers, changes in
government regulations or the interpretation of these regulations, changes in
supplier relationships, growth opportunities, cost savings, revenue
enhancements, synergies and other benefits anticipated from acquisition
transactions, difficulties relative to integrating acquired businesses, the
accounting and tax treatment of acquisitions, and asserted and unasserted
claims, which could cause actual results to differ from those in the
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements by their nature
involve substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our
control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of
important factors. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date herein.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
SERONO, INC., ROCKLAND, MA
MEDIA RELATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Renee Connolly Susan Ince
Tel. +1 781 681 2340 Tel. +1 781 681 2552
Fax: +1 781 681 2935 Fax: +1 781 681 2912
www.seronousa.com
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PRIORITY HEALTHCARE CORPORATION:
Stephen Saft
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Tel. +(407) 804-6700
www.priorityhealthcare.com
SERONO S.A.
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
www.serono.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)
June 16, 2005 By: /s/ Stuart Grant
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Name: Stuart Grant
Title: Chief Financial Officer