Merck Serono Awards Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI) for the First Time

Darmstadt, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- The first grants awarded to coincide with the 53rd European Society for
Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting
- Investment supports innovative projects for the advancement of science and
medical research in the field of growth

Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, today
announced the first recipients of the Grant for Growth Innovation
(GGI) for 2014. The awards were announced during a Satellite
Symposium organized by Merck Serono at the 53rd European Society for
Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting currently taking place in
Dublin, Ireland.

Sixty applications were received from 19 countries and reviewed by
an independent Scientific Steering Committee composed of
internationally renowned endocrinologists and chaired by Professor
Christian Strasburger, Head of Clinical Endocrinology at the Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Following a rigorous selection process
three awards have been granted to support innovative projects in
Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Leo Dunkel, MD, PhD

Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

Title: Defining the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in
the pathogenesis of growth hormone resistance and subsequent growth
failure in chronic childhood conditions.

Julian Lui Ph.D.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, USA

Title: Cartilage-Targeted Therapeutics for Growth Disorders

Lars Sävendahl, MD, PhD

Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Solna, Sweden

Title: Early prediction of long-term growth response to GH
treatment; Evaluation of a newly developed technique based on
magnetic resonance imaging of the tibia growth plate

"The Grant for Growth Innovation reflects Merck Serono's
commitment to innovation which we believe is the foundation of our
efforts to advance new possibilities in the treatment of disorders of
human growth," said Steven Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Global Medical Affairs and Global Drug Safety at Merck
Serono. He added: "Identifying and supporting forward thinking
researchers in the field of growth, helps us achieve our collective
goal to advance our understanding of this therapeutic area and
deliver better outcomes for patients living with growth disorders."

Notes to editors

Photos of the awards ceremony will soon be available under
http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org

About the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI)

Merck Serono announced the initiation of the GGI program in 2013
to support the advancement of understanding of the field of growth. A
total grant of up to EUR400,000 will be awarded to one or more
selected projects. Each application was blinded and evaluated by a
Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned
endocrinologists, according to five criteria: innovation; scientific
rationale; clarity; feasibility; and impact of research.

For further information about the GGI and how to apply for next
year's grants, please visit http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading
brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple
sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as
cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono
operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver
novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology,
immuno-oncology and immunology.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same
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Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality
high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. With
its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance
Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck generated total revenues of
EUR11.1 billion in 2013. Around 39,000 Merck employees work in 66
countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to further the
success of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck is the
world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - since 1668, the
company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible
entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the
founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this
day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany is holding the global rights to the
Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United
States, where the company is known as EMD.

ots Originaltext: Merck Serono GmbH
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