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 ~~November~~ December

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~~SERONO ~~AND~~ANNOUNCES ~~SERONO~~INITIATION ~~REPORT~~OF ~~DETAILED~~THE ~~POSITIVE~~REFLEX ~~RESULTS FROM~~ TRIAL ~~ATACICEPT~~TO ~~PHASE~~EVALUATE 1BNEW ~~CLINICAL~~FORMULATION ~~TRIAL~~OF REBIF® IN PATIENTS ~~WITH~~AT ~~LUPUS~~RISK OF DEVELOPING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

ClearFirst biologicTrial activity,Assessing tolerabilityTherapeutic andBenefit trendsof toward efficacyTwo observedDifferent Dosage Regimens of Disease Modifying Therapy in People with First Clinical Symptoms Suggesting Multiple sclerosis

~~Seattle, USA and~~ Geneva, Switzerland, ~~November~~ 13— December 12, 2006 — ~~ZymoGenetics,~~ ~~Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) and~~ Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA) announced today the initiation of a ~~presented~~Phase ~~positive~~III ~~results~~clinical attrial to evaluate the ~~American~~effect ~~College~~of two dosage regimens of ~~Rheumatology~~the new formulation of Rebif® (~~ACR)~~interferon ~~annual~~beta-1a 44 mcg, three ~~meeting~~times ~~from~~a week or once a ~~Phase~~week) 1bon ~~study~~the intime ~~systemic~~to ~~lupus~~conversion ~~erythematosus~~to multiple sclerosis (~~SLE~~MS) ~~patients treated~~in people with ~~atacicept(1).~~first ~~The~~clinical ~~results~~symptoms ~~showed~~suggestive ~~that~~of ~~atacicept~~the ~~was~~disease. ~~well tolerated~~The ~~across~~trial, ~~all~~called ~~dose~~the ~~levels~~REFLEX ~~and~~study ~~schedules~~(REbif inFLEXible ~~the~~dosing ~~study.~~in Inearly ~~addition~~MS), ~~atacicept~~will ~~therapy~~involve ~~was~~480 ~~associated~~patients ~~with~~considered ~~clear~~at ~~biologic~~risk ~~activity,~~of asdeveloping ~~shown~~MS bybecause ~~dose-dependent~~of a recently ~~reductions~~experienced inisolated ~~several~~demyelinating ~~biologic~~event ~~markers,~~and ~~consistent~~of ~~with~~typical ~~atacicept’s~~magnetic ~~proposed~~resonance ~~mechanism~~imaging of(MRI) ~~action~~brain scans.

“~~ZymoGenetics~~It ~~and~~has ~~Serono~~been ~~are~~demonstrated ~~striving~~that toearly ~~develop~~treatment anwith ~~effective~~interferon-beta ~~therapy~~can ~~for~~reduce ~~patients~~the ~~who~~risk ~~suffer~~of ~~from~~developing ~~lupus,~~multiple sclerosis. Optimizing the impact of such treatment on development of irreversible neurological damage and ascertainment of long term outcomes is still subject of active experimental and clinical research”, said ~~Bruce~~Professor ~~L.A.~~Ludwig ~~Carter~~Kappos, from ~~President~~the Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and ~~Chief~~a member ~~Executive~~of ~~Officer~~the Steering Committee of ~~ZymoGenetics~~the REFLEX study. “WeThe ~~believe~~REFLEX ~~atacicept~~study will ~~has~~determine the ~~potential~~respective totherapeutic ~~help~~benefit of two different dosage regimens of the new formulation of Rebif® for people ~~with~~at ~~this~~risk ~~debilitating~~of ~~disease~~developing multiple sclerosis.”

The ~~primary~~REFLEX ~~objective~~study ofis ~~the~~a ~~dose~~randomized, double-~~escalating~~blind, placebo-controlled, ~~Phase~~multicenter 1btrial. Study participants will receive either ~~clinical~~the ~~trial~~new formulation of Rebif® 44 mcg three times a week (160 patients), ~~which~~or ~~included~~the 49new formulation of Rebif® 44 mcg once a week (160 patients), ~~with~~or ~~SLE~~placebo (160 inpatients) 6as ~~cohorts~~a subcutaneous injection for a period of 24 months, ~~was~~unless they suffer from a second attack leading to a diagnosis of clinically definite ~~determine~~MS. ~~the~~In ~~safety~~this ~~and~~case, ~~tolerability~~patients will be offered open label treatment with the new formulation of ~~atacicept~~Rebif® 44 ~~administered~~mcg ~~subcutaneously~~three times a week. The ~~Secondary~~primary ~~objectives~~endpoint ~~included~~of ~~examining~~ the ~~effects~~study ofis ~~various~~time ~~dose~~to ~~and~~conversion to MS, according to the ~~schedule~~McDonald ~~regimens~~criteria. onOther ~~markers~~endpoints will include assessments of ~~biologic~~MRI ~~activity~~brain scans, clinical relapses and ~~disease~~disability ~~activity~~progression.

“The ~~Phase~~REFLEX 1bstudy ~~results~~will ~~are~~also ~~very~~evaluate ~~encouraging~~the ~~and~~effect weof ~~are~~the ~~looking~~new ~~forward~~formulation toof ~~moving~~Rebif® on cognitive function as measured by the ~~clinical~~Paced ~~development~~Auditory ofSerial ~~atacicept~~Addition inTest ~~patients~~(PASAT)(1). Cognitive dysfunction ~~with~~can ~~SLE~~occur toearly ~~Phase~~in ~~2,”~~MS ~~said~~and ~~Franck~~impact ~~Latrille~~memory, ~~Senior~~ability ~~Executive~~to ~~Vice~~process ~~President~~information and learning. A sub-study will assess retinal nerve fiber thickness (a marker of axonal loss) by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT). This sub-study will be conducted in selected centers, equipped with this leading edge ~~Corporate~~technology. ~~Global~~In ~~Product~~addition, ~~Development~~the REFLEX study will aim at ~~Serono~~identifying genetic/genomic profiles associated with disease and treatment outcomes.

~~ZymoGenetics~~(1) ~~and~~The ~~Serono~~PASAT ~~are~~is ina ~~dialogue~~measure ~~with~~of ~~the~~cognitive ~~FDA~~function that ~~regarding~~assesses ~~the~~auditory ~~SLE~~information ~~Phase~~processing 2speed ~~clinical~~(the ~~development~~ability ~~program.~~to ~~The~~attend ~~companies~~to ~~are~~orally ~~planning~~presented toinformation, ~~initiate~~process the ~~trial~~information in ~~SLE~~memory, and then formulate a response in ~~mid-2007~~a timely fashion) and flexibility, as well as calculation ability.

~~Key Study Findings:~~1

~~Clear~~The ~~biologic~~new ~~activity:~~formulation of Rebif® has been developed by an innovative approach, using state-of-the-art technologies. It is under regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration and other healthcare authorities, and is not currently approved.

~~Consistent~~About ~~with the mode of action:~~Rebif®

~~· Immunoglobulins~~Rebif® (interferon ~~showed~~beta-1a) ~~prompt dose~~is a disease-~~related~~modifying drug ~~decreases~~used ~~with~~to ~~atacicept~~treat ~~treatment~~relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is similar to the interferon beta protein produced by the human body. Interferon helps modulate the body’s immune system, fight disease and reduce inflammation.

~~· Among~~Rebif®, ~~patients~~which was approved in Europe ~~treated~~in ~~with~~1998 and in the ~~highest~~US ~~study~~in ~~dose~~2002, ofis ~~atacicept~~registered ~~(9mg/kg),~~in more than 80 countries ~~median~~worldwide. ~~IgA~~In the United States, ~~IgG~~Rebif® is co-marketed by Serono, Inc. and ~~IgM~~Pfizer ~~levels~~Inc. Rebif® has ~~were~~been ~~reduced~~proven byto 32delay the progression of disability, 16reduce the frequency of relapses and ~~nearly~~reduce 50MRI ~~percent~~lesion activity and ~~relative~~area(2). toRebif® is ~~baseline~~not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. ~~Patients~~Rebif® is ~~treated~~available ~~with~~in ~~placebo~~a ~~showed~~22 ~~average~~mcg ~~reductions~~and 44 mcg ofready-to-use ~~only~~pre-filled ~~four~~syringe ~~percent~~and a titration pack, and can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available.

~~· Repeated~~Most ~~doses~~commonly reported side effects are injection ~~were~~site ~~associated~~disorders, ~~with~~flu-like ~~greater~~symptoms, ~~decreases~~elevation inof ~~immunoglobulin~~liver ~~(Ig)~~enzymes ~~levels~~and ~~than~~blood cell ~~single~~abnormalities. ~~equivalent~~Patients, ~~doses~~especially those with depression, seizure disorders, or liver problems, should discuss treatment with Rebif® with their doctors.

~~· Following treatment~~About ~~cessation,~~Serono Igand ~~levels~~multiple ~~returned towards baseline.~~sclerosis

~~· Mature~~In addition to Rebif®, Serono also offers a second therapy within its US portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies: Novantrone® (mitoxantrone for injection concentrate) for worsening forms of MS. Full prescribing information for these products can be obtained by contacting Serono or visiting the Serono website. Additional therapeutic options are currently under development at Serono, including oral cladribine, currently in Phase III studies and ~~total~~potentially the first oral Btherapy for treatment of MS, as well as several products in early stage development including: osteopontin, an MMP-~~cells~~12 ~~showed~~inhibitor, a ~~sustained~~JNK inhibitor and interferon beta:Fc. Serono also is taking a leading role in developing an understanding of the role of genetics in MS, ~~dose-related~~with ~~reduction~~a whole genome scan currently underway.

~~(1) Trial~~About ofmultiple ~~Atacicept in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (poster L19/499), ACR/ARHP Poster Session B Late-Breaking Posters, November 13, 2006, American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting~~sclerosis

1Multiple 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.

~~Tolerability:~~(2) The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.

~~· No serious adverse events were reported in patients treated with atacicept.~~2

~~· There was no~~Background ~~evidence of increased infection risk among treated subjects, and no binding antibodies to atacicept were detected.~~material

~~Positive~~For ~~trend~~free ~~towards~~B-roll, ~~efficacy:~~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.

· Although the study was not designed to evaluate efficacy, compared to placebo an overall positive trend in SELENA-SLEDAI scores(2) and complement levels was seen in patients treated with multiple doses of atacicept.###

AForward-looking separate poster(3) presented at ACR reviewed findings from a Phase 1b study with atacicept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as announced earlier this year. The companies are planning to initiate the Phase 2 study with atacicept in RA patients before the end of 2006.statements

~~About~~Some of the ~~Study~~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 any government investigations and litigation. Serono is providing this information as of the date of this press release, and 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.

The double blind, placebo-controlled, dose escalating, multi-site Phase 1b trial enrolled forty-nine patients with mild-to-moderate SLE. Six cohorts, consisting of eight patients each, were treated with either atacicept or placebo. Cohorts 1 through 4 received a single subcutaneous dose of 0.3, 1, 3, or 9 mg/kg of atacicept respectively. Cohorts 5 and 6 received four weekly doses of 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg respectively. Patients were followed for either six weeks (cohorts 1-4) or nine weeks (cohorts 5-6). All patients were monitored during and for several weeks after dosing for safety purposes.###

The primary outcome measure was the systemic and local tolerability of atacicept administered subcutaneously. The secondary measures included pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as measures of SLE disease activity.

Atacicept was well tolerated by patients with SLE at all doses investigated. There was a clear demonstration of biologic activity consistent with the mechanism of action of atacicept and positive trends towards efficacy were observed.

Overall, the results demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile. The predominant adverse event noted was a mild to moderate local injection site reaction (redness of skin or pain at the injection site), which was observed in 50% of atacicept subjects and less frequently in the placebo and 0.3 mg/kg groups. Few notable differences were observed between atacicept and placebo in the nature, severity or frequency of adverse events.

About Atacicept

ZymoGenetics and Serono are developing atacicept (formerly referred to as TACI-Ig) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and B-cell malignancies. Atacicept contains the soluble TACI receptor that binds to the cytokines BLyS and APRIL. These cytokines, in turn, are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with 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. Atacicept has been shown to affect several stages of B-cell development and may inhibit the survival of cells responsible for making antibodies.

(2) SELENA-SLEDAI: SLE Disease Activity Index; The original SLEDAI is a weighted, cumulative index of lupus disease activity, and the SELENA SLEDAI represents a further refinement.

(3) A Phase Ib Study to Investigate Atacicept (TACI-Ig) In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (poster L36/516). ACR/ARHP Poster Session B Late-Breaking Posters, November 13, 2006, American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting

Posters

The abstracts and posters are available at www.zymogenetics.com in the ‘What’s New’ section on the home page.

Background material

For 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.

###

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 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.

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 22 414 36 00	Tel: +41 22 414 36 01
Fax: +41 22 739 30 85		Fax: +41 22 739 30 22
Fax: +41 22 414 30 85	Fax: +41 22 414 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 2552~~
Fax: +1 781 681 2935	Fax: +1 781 681 2912	~~Fax: +1 781 681 2912~~
http://www.seronousa.com

~~ZymoGenetics~~3

Investor Relations John Calhoun, MD, MBA Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations (206) 442-6744 Media Relations Susan W. Specht, MBA Associate Director, Corporate Communications (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., a Swiss corporation (Registrant)
	SERONO S.A.,
Date November 13, 2006	By: /s/ Stuart Grant
	a Swiss corporation
	Name: Stuart Grant
	(Registrant)
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date December 12, 2006	By:	/s/ Stuart Grant
	Name: Stuart Grant
	Title: Chief Financial Officer

Filing Compare · MERCK SERONO S.A.