ALLSCHWIL, Switzerland, July 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Actelion Ltd (Other OTC:ALIOF) (SWX:ATLN) announced today that the renin alliance with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has achieved its third milestone. The alliance has entered into man its first compound, a new renin inhibitor. This start of full clinical development triggers a milestone payment by Merck to Actelion of USD 7 million. Actelion and Merck formed an exclusive worldwide alliance in December 2003 to discover, develop and market new classes of orally available renin inhibitors for patients suffering from cardio-renal diseases.
