Scientists at Serono's research centre in Paris studied data from some 1,800 patients, half of whom had MS, and used Affymetrix's GeneChip technology to identify and register the genes involved in the inflammatory and neuro-degenerative pathways of the disease.

Serono hopes to complete the project in the course of 2006.

"The completion of the MS Whole Genome Scan in 2006 will lead to a comprehensive catalogue of potential MS drug targets, providing a basis for the future development of innovative MS therapies," Daniel Cohen, Serono's global head of genetics, said in a statement.

Serono already produces Rebif, a treatment for MS, the disease that affects more than 1 million people worldwide and can cause blurred vision, weakness, poor muscle coordination and loss of memory and mental function.

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