UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR
15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of ~~June~~ July

Commission File Number 1-15096

Serono S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

15 bis, Chemin des Mines
Case Postale 54
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland

(Address of principal executive office)

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 o

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): o

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): o

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 o No x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

~~ZYMOGENETICS~~EUROPEAN COMMISSION ~~AND~~APPROVES REVISION ~~SERONO PRESENT POSITIVE RESULTS~~ OF ~~TACI-IG~~THERAPEUTIC ~~PHASE~~INDICATION 1bFOR ~~TRIAL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AT EULAR MEETING~~REBIF®

~~Phase~~Throughout the 2European ~~program~~Union, tomultiple ~~start~~sclerosis ~~later~~patients ~~this~~can ~~year~~now benefit from Rebif® as soon as their diagnosis of MS is confirmed

~~Seattle, USA and~~ Geneva, Switzerland, ~~June~~ July 2610, 2006 — ~~ZymoGenetics, Inc.~~ ~~(NASDAQ: ZGEN) and~~ Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA) ~~today~~ announced ~~favorable~~today ~~results from a Phase 1b clinical trial with~~that ~~TACI-Ig~~the ~~in 73~~European ~~patients~~Commission ~~with~~has ~~rheumatoid~~approved ~~arthritis~~an ~~(RA),~~update ~~recently presented~~of at the ~~7th Annual~~Summary ~~European Congress~~ of Product ~~Rheumatology~~Characteristics (~~EULAR~~SmPC)~~. TACI-Ig~~ isof aRebif® (interferon ~~soluble~~beta-1a), ~~fusion~~in ~~protein~~order ~~that~~to ~~neutralizes molecules~~align ~~implicated~~it inwith ~~the~~current ~~pathogenesis~~medical ~~of several autoimmune diseases~~practice. ~~TACI-Ig~~ ~~appeared~~Throughout ~~to be well tolerated across~~ the ~~full~~European ~~range~~Union, ofRebif® can ~~dose~~now ~~levels~~be ~~and schedules~~prescribed ~~tested.~~after ~~Clear biologic effect was observed as patients showed schedule and dose dependent decreases in~~ the ~~levels~~diagnosis of multiple ~~immunoglobulin~~sclerosis (IgMS) ~~and serum~~has ~~rheumatoid~~been ~~factor~~confirmed ~~levels.~~based ~~Although this study was not specifically designed to evaluate efficacy, encouraging trends were observed in ACR and DAS 28 scores, commonly used measurements of clinical benefit. Based~~ on ~~these promising~~one ~~results,~~attack ~~ZymoGenetics~~ and ~~Serono expect to begin the Phase 2 clinical~~subsequent ~~program~~positive ofmagnetic ~~TACI-Ig~~resonance inimaging ~~patients~~(MRI) ~~with RA in the second half of 2006~~scans.

InThe an‘therapeutic ~~oral~~indication’ section of the SmPC of ~~presentation(1),~~Rebif® now ~~Alain~~takes ~~Munafo,~~into ~~Ph.D.~~account the McDonald criteria, which ~~Senior~~are ~~Scientific~~the ~~Director~~current reference criteria for the diagnosis of ~~Serono~~MS. The SmPC of Rebif® was previously based on the Poser criteria, ~~reported~~which ~~that~~were ~~TACI-Ig~~in ~~appeared~~use toat bethe ~~well~~time ~~tolerated~~of Rebif® approval in the European Union in 1998, and Rebif® was consequently indicated for MS patients ~~with~~who ~~moderate-to-severe~~had ~~RA.~~experienced ~~The~~at ~~most~~least ~~common~~two ~~adverse~~attacks. ~~event~~Compared ~~was~~with athe ~~generally~~Poser ~~mild~~criteria, the ~~injection~~McDonald ~~site~~criteria ~~reaction~~utilize ~~affecting~~MRI ~~approximately~~evidence ~~40%~~as ofan alternative to a second attack, and allow the same patients. ~~There~~to ~~were no~~be ~~serious~~diagnosed ~~adverse~~with ~~events~~more ~~reported~~sensitivity and specificity. NoCurrent ~~patients~~understanding ~~formed~~of ~~detectable~~the ~~antibodies~~disease tosupports that it is critical ~~TACI-Ig,~~to ~~and~~initiate ~~the~~treatment ~~patients’~~as ~~vaccination~~soon ~~immune~~as ~~status~~the ~~did~~diagnosis ~~not~~of ~~appear~~MS is established to beensure ~~compromised~~the bybest possible outcome for the ~~drug~~patients.

~~TACI-Ig~~“We ~~demonstrated~~are ~~clear~~delighted ~~biological~~with ~~activity~~the European Commission decision,” ~~with~~said ~~schedule~~Roberto ~~and~~Gradnik, ~~dose~~Senior Executive Vice President Europe at ~~dependent~~Serono. ~~reductions~~“MS ofhas ~~immunoglobulin~~an ~~levels~~initial instage ~~line~~when ~~with~~clinical ~~the~~manifestations ~~proposed~~are not ~~mechanism~~pronounced ofbut ~~action~~irreversible neurological damage is taking place. InThis aneurological damage ~~cohort~~determines ~~that~~the ~~received~~relative ~~seven~~risk ~~doses~~of progression of ~~TACI-Ig~~the ~~over~~disease. aPeople with ~~three-month~~MS ~~period~~living in Europe will be able to benefit from the proven efficacy of Rebif® as soon as MS is diagnosed, ~~patients~~when ~~showed:~~it is needed most”.

~~· Reductions~~Rebif® is ofproven effective on the following three key ~~several~~measures ~~biomarkers~~of ~~typically~~treatment ~~found~~effectiveness: inMRI RAlesion ~~patients~~area and activity, ~~including:~~relapse rates, and disability progression. The safety and efficacy of Rebif® are supported by eight-year follow-up data and 12 years of patient experience from around the world.

~~o IgM,~~The European Commission decision means that the ~~IgA~~updated ~~and~~SmPC ~~IgG~~of ~~reductions~~Rebif® is valid immediately in all 25 member states of ~~54%~~the European Union. In most other regions of the world, ~~37%~~the ~~and~~therapeutic indication ~~21%~~of ~~respectively;~~Rebif® already takes into account the McDonald criteria.

~~o Reduction of peripheral blood B-cell levels with a maximum decrease of 30-40%~~1

~~o 40-45% reduction~~About ~~of IgM-RF, IgA-RF and IgG-RF~~Rebif®

~~· Trends~~Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a ~~toward~~disease-modifying ~~improvement~~drug used to treat relapsing forms of ~~the~~multiple ~~ACR~~sclerosis and is ~~DAS~~similar 28to ~~scores~~the ~~commonly~~interferon ~~used~~beta toprotein ~~measure~~produced by the human body. ~~disease~~Interferon ~~severity~~helps ~~and~~modulate ~~effects~~the ofbody’s ~~treatment~~immune system, fight disease and reduce inflammation.

~~(1) TACI-Ig~~Rebif®, which was approved in Europe in ~~patients~~1998 ~~with~~and ~~rheumatoid~~in ~~arthritis~~the ~~(RA):~~US anin ~~exploratory~~2002, ~~multi-center,~~is registered in more than 80 countries ~~double-blind,~~worldwide. ~~placebo-controlled~~In the United States, ~~dose~~Rebif® is co-~~escalating,~~marketed ~~single~~by Serono, Inc. and ~~repeat~~Pfizer Inc. ~~dose~~Rebif® has ~~phase 1b~~been ~~study~~proven ~~(abstract~~to ~~OP0178)~~delay the progression of disability, ~~7th Annual~~reduce ~~European~~the ~~Congress~~frequency of ~~Rheumatology~~relapses and reduce MRI lesion activity and area(~~EULAR~~1),. ~~June~~Rebif® 21is available in a 22 mcg and 44 mcg ready-to-use ~~24,~~pre-filled ~~2006,~~syringe ~~Amsterdam~~and a titration pack, ~~Netherlands~~and can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available.

1Most commonly reported side effects are injection site disorders, flu-like symptoms, elevation of liver enzymes and blood cell abnormalities. Patients, especially those with depression, seizure disorders, or liver problems, should discuss treatment with Rebif® with their doctors.

InAbout aSerono separate poster presentation(2), Ivan Nestorov, Ph.D., Scientific Fellow of ZymoGenetics, reported that there was a well-defined relationship between TACI-Ig exposure and immunoglobulin response. IgM levels were found to be the most responsive to TACI-Ig exposure, followed respectively by IgA and IgG levels. Dosing frequency seemed to play as important a role as dose level in the response of the three biomarkers.Neurology

~~The~~In ~~primary~~addition ~~objective~~to ofRebif®, ~~the~~Serono ~~Phase~~also 1boffers ~~study~~a second ~~was~~therapy towithin its US portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies: ~~determine~~Novantrone® (mitoxantrone ~~the~~for ~~safety~~injection ~~and~~concentrate) ~~tolerability~~for worsening forms of ~~TACI-Ig~~MS. inFull RAprescribing ~~patients~~information ~~and~~for tothese ~~examine~~products can be obtained by contacting Serono or visiting the ~~relationship~~Serono ~~between~~website. ~~TACI-Ig~~Additional therapy ~~dose~~options ~~and~~are ~~schedule~~currently ~~with~~under ~~markers~~development ofat ~~biologic~~Serono, including cladribine tablets, currently in Phase III studies and potentially the first oral therapy ~~disease~~for ~~activity.~~treatment ~~The~~of ~~trial~~MS, ~~enrolled~~as ~~adult~~well ~~male~~as ~~and~~osteopontin, ~~female~~an ~~patients~~MMP-12 ~~with~~inhibitor, a JNK ~~active~~inhibitor and interferon beta:Fc, ~~moderate~~in early-~~to-severe~~stage RAdevelopment for MS. ~~Patients~~Serono also ~~received~~is ~~single~~taking ora ~~multiple~~leading ~~doses~~role in developing an understanding of the role of ~~either~~genetics ~~TACI~~in MS, with a whole genome scan currently underway. To-Igdate, or80 ~~placebo~~genes associated ~~for~~with MS have been identified, based on a ~~maximum~~40% ~~period~~scan. The project is due to be completed in 2006 and will improve understanding of ~~three~~the ~~months~~causes of MS and the appropriate therapeutic targets for the disease.

~~###~~About multiple sclerosis

~~Abstracts~~Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, neurological disease in young adults. MS may affect approximately two million people worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.

(1) The ~~abstracts~~exact ~~and~~relationship between ~~presentation~~MRI ~~slides~~findings ~~are~~and ~~available at www.zymogenetics.com in~~ the ~~“What’s~~clinical ~~New”~~status ~~section~~of onpatients ~~the~~is ~~home page~~unknown.

~~Background material~~2

~~For~~Background free B-roll, video and other content for Serono and its products, please visit the Serono Media Center www.thenewsmarket.com/Serono. You can download print-quality images and receive broadcast-standard video digitally or by tape from this site. Registration and video is free to the media.material

~~About~~For ~~TACI~~free B-Igroll, video and other content for Serono and its products, please visit the Serono Media Center www.thenewsmarket.com/Serono. You can download print-quality images and receive broadcast-standard video digitally or by tape from this site. Registration and video is free to the media.

ZymoGenetics and Serono are developing TACI-Ig for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and B-cell malignancies. TACI-Ig is a soluble receptor that binds to BLyS and APRIL, TNF family cytokines that promote B-cell survival and the production of harmful autoantibodies, which cause certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Current data indicates that levels of BLyS and APRIL are elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and B-cell malignancies. TACI-Ig has been shown to affect several stages of B-cell development and may inhibit the survival of cells responsible for making antibodies. ZymoGenetics is developing TACI-Ig in collaboration with Serono S.A. and is conducting clinical studies in patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis and advanced B-cell malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Commencing July 1, TACI-Ig will be referred to by its International Nonproprietary Name ‘atacicept’.###

~~###~~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 February 28, 2006. 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.

~~Forward-looking Statements~~###

For ZymoGenetics

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the current intent and expectations of the management of ZymoGenetics. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. ZymoGenetics’ actual results and the timing and outcome of events may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements because of risks associated with our unproven discovery strategy, preclinical and clinical development, regulatory oversight, intellectual property claims and litigation and other risks detailed in the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Except as required by law, ZymoGenetics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For Serono

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

(2) Characterizing the relationship between TACI-Ig exposure and IgG, IgM and IgA antibody response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); (abstract FRI0157), 7th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR), June 21 — 24, 2006, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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 February 28, 2006. 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.

###

About ZymoGenetics

ZymoGenetics creates novel protein drugs with the potential to significantly help patients fight their diseases. The Company is developing a diverse pipeline of potential proprietary product candidates that are moving into and through clinical development. These candidates span a wide array of clinical opportunities that include bleeding, autoimmune diseases and cancer. ZymoGenetics intends to commercialize these product candidates through internal development, collaborations with partners, and out-licensing of patents from its extensive patent portfolio. For further information, visit www.zymogenetics.com.

About Serono

Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has eight biotechnology products, Rebif®, Gonal-f®, Luveris®, Ovidrel®/Ovitrelle®, Serostim®, Saizen®, Zorbtive™ and Raptiva®. In addition to being the world 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 and autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are more than 25 on-going development projects.

In 2005, Serono, whose products are sold in over 90 countries, achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,586.4 million. Reported net loss in 2005 was US$106.1 million, reflecting a charge of US$725 million taken relating to the settlement of the US Attorney’s Office investigation of Serostim. Excluding this charge as well as other non-recurring items, adjusted net income grew 28.4% to US$565.3 million in 2005. 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).

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Media Relations:	~~Corporate Investor Relations:~~	Corporate Investor Relations:
Tel:+41 22 739 36 00	Tel:+41 22 739 36 01
Tel: +41 22 739 36 00		Tel: +41 22 739 36 01
Fax:+41 22 739 30 85	Fax:+41 22 739 30 22
Fax: +41 22 739 30 85		Fax: +41 22 739 30 22
http://www.serono.com	~~Reuters: SEO.VX / SRA.N~~	Reuters: SEO.VX / SRA.N
	~~Bloomberg: SEO VX / SRA US~~	Bloomberg: SEO VX / SRA US
Media Relations, USA:	~~Investor Relations, USA:~~	Investor Relations, USA:
Tel:+1 781 681 2340	Tel:+1 781 681 2552
Tel: +1 781 681 2340		Tel: +1 781 681 2552
Fax:+1 781 681 2935	Fax:+1 781 681 2912
Fax: +1 781 681 2935		Fax: +1 781 681 2912
http://www.seronousa.com
ZymoGenetics
Investor Relations		Media Relations
John Calhoun, MD, MBA		Susan W. Specht, MBA
Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations		Associate Director, Corporate Communications
(206) 442-6744		(206) 442-6592

SIGNATURE

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.,~~	SERONO S.A.,
	~~a Swiss corporation~~	a Swiss corporation
	~~(Registrant)~~	(Registrant)
Date June 26, 2006	By:	/s/ Stuart Grant
Date July 10, 2006		By:	/s/ Stuart Grant
	~~Name:~~	~~Stuart Grant~~Name:	Stuart Grant
	~~Title:~~	~~Chief Financial Officer~~Title:	Chief Financial Officer

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