Press Release

GENEVA, November 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany,announced today plans to strengthen its global research and development (R&D)capabilities by establishing a global R&D center in Beijing, China. MerckSerono is planning to invest more than 150 Million EUR and create more than 200 new qualified jobs over the next four years to set up the China R&D center and conduct R&D activities in China.

"The creation of the China R&D center marks a new milestone inMerck Serono's commitment to China, where there is a rising demand for morehealthcare options," said Elmar Schnee, President of Merck Serono. "We arecommitted to investing in areas that can help China to address some of itspublic health needs that currently are not met."

"China is a country with talented scientists and high-qualityresearch," added Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President, Research andDevelopment for Merck Serono. "We will recruit more R&D talent in China andbuild a world-class organization in China that will extend our global R&Dexpertise and capabilities."

The China R&D organization will become one of the key R&D hubsfor Merck Serono worldwide. Key hubs so far are Germany, Switzerland and theUnited States.

The China team will lead drug development for China and otherAsian countries, for local clinical trials as well as for the participationin global clinical trials. The team also will ensure the management ofcollaborations with research institutions in China and continue to look forpartnerships with local academic institutions and companies. Researchactivities conducted in the China R&D center will mainly focus on biomarkerresearch including pharmacogenomics and bioanalytics activities.

Merck Serono already has some research collaborations in Chinaand plans to further develop its collaboration network and build its R&Dstrategy on more innovation opportunities by tapping into the Chinesescientific expertise.

Merck Serono China currently employs more than 1,000 personsnationwide. Merck Serono China offers a portfolio of innovative medicines,including the division's leading brands serving patients with cancer(Erbitux(R)), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R)), infertility (Gonal-f(R)),endocrine and metabolic disorders (Saizen(R)), as well as cardiometabolicdiseases (Concor(R), Euthyrox(R)).

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescriptionpharmaceuticals of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global pharmaceuticaland chemical company. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Seronodiscovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative small molecules andbiopharmaceuticals to help patients with unmet medical needs. In the UnitedStates and Canada, EMD Serono operates through separately incorporatedaffiliates.

Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer (Erbitux(R),cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R), interferon beta-1a), infertility(Gonal-f(R), follitropin alpha), endocrine and metabolic disorders (Saizen(R)and Serostim(R), somatropin), (Kuvan(R), sapropterin dihydrochloride) as wellas cardiometabolic diseases (Glucophage(R), metformin), (Concor(R),bisoprolol), (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine). Not all products are available inall markets.

With an annual R&D expenditure of around EUR 1bn, Merck Seronois committed to growing its business in specialist-focused therapeutic areasincluding neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, fertility and endocrinology,as well as new areas potentially arising out of research and development inautoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company withtotal revenues of EUR 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, anda future shaped by approximately 33,000 employees in 60 countries. Itssuccess is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees.Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in whichthe Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholdersown the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co.was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.comor http://www.merck.de