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 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.
LHCGR candidate could replace injectable hCG regimens
In preclinical studies, PostEra's standalone LHCGR agonist showed potential as an oral alternative to injectable hCG regimens used in selected male infertility cases. Combined with the FSHR agonist, the two candidates could shift current IVF protocols from injection-based to an all-oral regimen, according to PostEra.
EMD Serono assumes worldwide development and commercialization rights
Following completion of the transaction, EMD Serono will take sole responsibility for further development and potential commercialization of both programs globally. Both assets remain in preclinical stages, and their safety and efficacy in humans have not yet been established.
PostEra cites validation of Proton platform against long-unmet drug targets
PostEra Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Lee said FSHR and LHCGR have been validated as targets through biologics but have seen little progress in oral small-molecule drugging over recent decades, calling the transaction a benchmark for Proton's ability to address challenging medicinal chemistry problems. PostEra CEO Aaron Morris said the company evaluates its AI output based on the quality of resulting therapies rather than benchmark performance, and expressed confidence in EMD Serono advancing the fertility pipeline.