Merck KGaAEMD Serono, Merck KGaA's US/Canada healthcare business, acquired PostEra's two preclinical fertility drug programs, expanding its pipeline via M&A.

PostEra, a Boston-based biotechnology company using artificial intelligence for drug discovery, announced that EMD Serono, Inc., the U.S. and Canada healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has acquired two of its fertility programs. The programs involve novel small-molecule agonists targeting the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) for ovarian stimulation in IVF and the Luteinizing Hormone/Choriogonadotropin Receptor (LHCGR) for male infertility and ovulation trigger. PostEra developed these candidates using its AI platform, Proton, over the past two years, aiming to offer oral alternatives to injectable fertility treatments. EMD Serono will take sole responsibility for worldwide development and potential commercialization, though both programs are still in preclinical stages. PostEra's CEO and Chief Scientific Officer expressed confidence that the deal validates their platform's ability to tackle challenging targets and could transform IVF protocols from injections to an all-oral regimen.
Merck KGaAEMD Serono, Merck KGaA's US/Canada healthcare business, acquired PostEra's two preclinical fertility drug programs, expanding its pipeline via M&A.
PostEra sold two AI-discovered fertility programs to EMD Serono, validating its Proton platform and providing a deal outcome.