Merck KGaA

EMD Serono Buys PostEra's AI-Designed Oral Fertility Drug Programs

Boston – September 17, 2026 -- EMD Serono, Inc., the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the United States and Canada, has acquired two preclinical fertility drug programs from PostEra, a biotech firm built on artificial intelligence-driven small molecule discovery.

PostEra's Proton platform generated oral agonists targeting two hard-to-drug fertility receptors

The acquired programs target the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), both used over two years by PostEra's AI platform Proton to design small molecule candidates for reproductive endocrinology. FSHR agonists were developed for ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF), while LHCGR agonists target male infertility and ovulation triggering in IVF protocols.

Cryovials Market to Hit $0.31B by 2031 on Cell Therapy Demand

Delray Beach, Fla. – September 17, 2026 -- The global cryovials market is projected to grow from $0.24 billion in 2026 to $0.31 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Cell and gene therapy demand drives fastest-growing application segment

The cell and gene therapy segment is set to register the highest CAGR among applications at 8.0%, fueled by expanding commercialization of CAR-T cell therapies, stem cell treatments, and gene-modified therapies. These advanced therapies require secure cryogenic storage across collection, processing, manufacturing, transportation, and administration to preserve cell viability. Manufacturers scaling from clinical to commercial production are prioritizing sterile, barcoded cryovials with secure closure systems compatible with automated storage.

EMD Serono Acquires PostEra's AI-Designed Fertility Drug Programs

Boston – September 16, 2026 -- EMD Serono, Inc., the U.S. and Canada healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has acquired two preclinical fertility drug programs from Boston-based biotech PostEra, the companies announced.

EMD Serono takes over two AI-designed oral fertility candidates

The deal covers PostEra's Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) agonist program for ovarian stimulation in IVF and its Luteinizing Hormone/Choriogonadotropin Receptor (LHCGR) agonist program for male infertility and ovulation triggering. Both programs originated from PostEra's proprietary Proton AI platform, developed over the past two years to target small-molecule alternatives in Women's Health and Fertility, markets the company describes as almost entirely dependent on injectable medications.

EMD Serono Acquires PostEra's Oral Fertility Drug Programs

Boston – September 15, 2026 -- EMD Serono, Inc., the U.S. and Canada healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has acquired two preclinical fertility drug programs from PostEra, a biotechnology company that uses artificial intelligence for small-molecule drug discovery.

EMD Serono takes over two AI-derived fertility programs from PostEra

The deal covers a class of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) agonists for ovarian stimulation in IVF and a separate class of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) agonists targeting male infertility and ovulation triggering in IVF. Both programs were developed over the past two years using PostEra's Proton AI platform and remain in preclinical development, with safety and efficacy in humans not yet established.