FDA fast-tracks Serono's oral MS drug
(AP)


<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/health/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060921/ap_on_he_me/serono_fda"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060921/capt.f735b4f9e3124c72baca3ef7ba55f309.switzerland_germany_merck_serono_red203.jpg?x=130&y=86&sig=GhQy97QCmqfnJkquzAvfwg--" align="left" height="86" width="130" alt="The Serono Biotech Center is seen in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, in this Jan. 22, 2006 file picture. German drug maker Merck KGaA, which lost its bid to acquire Schering AG earlier this year, said Thursday Sept. 21, 2006 it will buy a majority stake in Swiss rival Serono in a 16.6 billion Swiss francs (10.5 billion euro; US$13.31 billion) takeover that will expand its range of drugs. (AP Photo/Keystone, Andree-Noelle Pot)" border="0" /></a>AP - Swiss biotech firm Serono SA, which earlier Thursday agreed to sell a majority stake in the company to German drugmaker Merck KGaA for $13.31 billion, said its oral cladribine treatment for multiple sclerosis has received "fast-track" status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p><br clear="all"/>