Stefan Oschmann Appointed New Executive Board Chairman of Merck

Darmstadt, Germany, October 13, 2015 – In its meeting today, the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG appointed Stefan Oschmann (58) as new Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA. The appointment will take effect with the end of the Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2016. Stefan Oschmann will succeed Karl-Ludwig Kley (64) who will retire after then eight years as head of Merck.

Dr. Stefan Oschmann, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO, Merck

Stefan Oschman has been a member of the Executive Board of Merck since 2011. He was initially in charge of the pharma business before being appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO at the beginning of 2015, responsible for strategy and innovation.

“Under the leadership of Karl-Ludwig Kley, Merck years has gone through the biggest transformation in its almost 350-year history. This entailed building and expanding no fewer than three strong global businesses that are able to provide ground-breaking solutions for patients and customers and secure growth and affluence for our 40.000 employees,” said Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG. “We want to express our deep gratitude and respect for his achievements. We’re equally happy to have found a successor in Stefan Oschmann early on, whose strategic foresight and strong leadership have turned Merck into a respected player in the pharma industry again. We’re convinced that he will take the right steps to position Merck in a way that will allow the company to continue to actively shape an environment that has been experiencing fundamental scientific and digital changes.”

From what used to be a company with a diverse portfolio in pharma and chemicals, Merck since 2006 has evolved into a specialized high-tech company in the areas of healthcare, life science and performance materials. Today the company holds leading positions in fertility treatments, process solutions for the biotech industry or liquid crystal displays. Following mergers and acquisitions totaling around 38 billion € as well as organic growth sales will have doubled to more than 12 billion € this year compared with the 2005 level. Two change programs have resulted in a leaner organization capable of driving innovation in an efficient manner.

Prior to joining Merck, Stefan Oschmann worked for more than 20 years for U.S. pharma company MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme. He is president of the IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations) and Vice President of EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations).

Karl-Ludwig Kley had already been a member of the Supervisory Board of Merck KGaA and the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG since 2004. In 2006 he became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Merck before taking over as Chairman in 2007. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at Deutsche Lufthansa for eight years and joined the airline’s supervisory board in 2013. He is Deputy Chairman of the supervisory board of BMW and member of the supervisory board of Bertelsmann. In addition, he is vice president of the German Chemicals Association (VCI) and member of the steering committee of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

About E. Merck KG
E. Merck KG combines the financial interests of the Merck family and, holding an interest of around 70%, is general partner of Merck KGaA. The Board of Partners of E. Merck is comparable to the supervisory board of a German stock corporation (AG). It is responsible for appointment the members of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, and for monitoring them.

 

Merck Creates Greater Scope for Developing Ideas – Innovation Center opened

• Investments of around € 1 billion earmarked to be made in Merck headquarters until 2020
• Platform created for innovators from around the world and the Rhine-Main region
• Opening in the presence of Prime Minister of Hesse Volker Bouffier and Merck CEO Karl-Ludwig Kley
• Cornerstone laid for the future Innovation Center, which will form the heart of global headquarters as of 2018

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Darmstadt, Germany, October 1, 2015 – Merck, a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the healthcare, life science and performance materials sectors, today opened its Innovation Center in Darmstadt, thus establishing a new platform for innovations from around the world and from the Rhine-Main region.

The complete Merck News Release can be downloaded at the following link:
http://news.merck.de/N/0/58C46F5C7D309C74C1257ED000565983/$File/OpeningEvent_EN.pdf

 

Merck Serono Introduces New Eeva Test Version Aiming for Optimized Assisted Reproductive Outcomes

• Merck Serono continues to provide health care professionals with innovative fertility technologies that aim to improve embryo assessment during ART cycles
• The new Eeva Test 2.3 features the Xtend Algorithm, utilizing new parameters to capture a more complete picture of embryo development

Darmstadt, Germany, June, 30, 2015 – Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck, today announced the launch of the new Eeva® (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) Test with the Xtend Algorithm, the advanced version of a non-invasive test to aid embryo assessment within assisted reproductive treatment (ART). The new version builds upon the scientific and clinical record of Merck Serono’s established Eeva System and utilizes a new algorithm to provide a multi-dimensional model for assessing and predicting the development of embryos. The advanced Xtend Algorithm enables ART labs to capture a more complete picture of embryo development and – when used adjunctively with traditional morphology – increases the chances of identifying embryos that have the highest developmental potential compared to traditional morphology alone. With the launch of the improved system, Merck Serono further expands its portfolio in fertility technology which is becoming increasingly important to improve fertility treatment outcomes.

Meeta Gulyani, Head of Global Strategy and Franchises, Merck Serono

“Introducing the Eeva System 2.3 and its Xtend Algorithm shows our commitment to continuous innovation to ultimately improve success rates in ART,” said Meeta Gulyani, Head of Global Strategy and Franchises at Merck Serono. “We see strong opportunities for scientific innovation in fertility technologies and will continue to invest in developing new products and evolving existing ones, such as the Eeva Test. As the world’s leader and pioneer in fertility treatment, we are drawing upon our strong heritage in the field to further support IVF clinicians in helping women and couples realize their dream of welcoming a baby to their family.”

The Eeva System uses automated image analysis software to capture and analyze embryo cell activity that the human eye is not capable of detecting, providing objective and consistent test results for ART clinicians. Building upon the robust scientific foundation of its established predecessor, the improved Eeva System 2.3 includes a new multi-dimensional algorithm to address the demand for more objectivity and standardization within ART and optimized outcomes. The Xtend Algorithm was identified through a rigorous R&D process, which investigated over 1,000 potential parameters before determining the most relevant ones for improving the chance of identifying the embryos with the highest potential of ART success if used adjunctively with traditional morphology. Extending beyond measurement of cell division timings, the Xtend Algorithm includes additional parameters, leading to five parameters overall that are applied to each embryo and mapped against a multi-dimensional prediction model. The Xtend Algorithm was developed on a large data set from 12 sites, 373 women and 3,328 embryos, and validated on an independent data set to demonstrate objective and consistent test results. The Eeva System 2.3 further provides a new five-tier classification system, designed to offer more assessment options to better distinguish the embryo with highest developmental potential when used adjunctively with traditional morphology.

About the Eeva Test
The non-invasive Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva®) Test when used adjunctively with traditional morphology may improve IVF outcomes by providing IVF clinicians and patients with objective information on embryo viability. The Eeva System utilizes proprietary software that automatically analyzes embryo development against scientifically and clinically validated parameters. With Eeva’s quantitative data on each embryo’s potential development, IVF clinicians can optimize the treatment path for their patients undergoing IVF procedures.

Progyny, Inc. formed March 2015 is the combined entity of Auxogyn, Inc. and FertilityAuthority, LCC. In March 2014, Auxogyn Inc. granted Merck Serono exclusive rights to commercialize Auxogyn’s proprietary Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva) Test in Europe and Canada, with the option to extend to selected countries. Progyny retains the commercial rights to the Eeva Test in the United States. The agreement is the latest development in the ongoing collaboration between Merck Serono and Progyny, which began in 2010 when Merck invested in Auxogyn through its corporate venture capital fund, MS Ventures.

Auxogyn received the CE mark for Eeva in July 2012, and at the end of the first half of 2015, Merck will have launched the test in 13 countries across Europe and Canada. In the United States, clearance for the Eeva System was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through its de novo classification process in June 2014.

About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical business 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

 

Merck Supports Free Diabetes Screening in collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MHUS) and Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare (MOPHFW) in India, kicks off June 25 as Maharashtra Merck Diabetes Day

• Merck kicks off June 25 as Maharashtra Merck Diabetes Day- MDD in collaboration with Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare of Maharashtra.
• Merck joins hands with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to celebrate the success of the first year of Merck Capacity Advancement Program in India.
• Merck supports medical education for more than 5,000 medical students and free Diabetes screening for more than 20,000 community members In Maharashtra.

Mumbai, India, June 25, 2015 – Merck, a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life-science sectors, rolls out today Merck Diabetes Day- MDD in collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare of Maharashtra Government in order to provide diabetes free screening and education for more than 20,000 community members at the 18 medical colleges of MUHS as part of Merck Capacity Advancement Program.

The Maharashtra Merck Diabetes Day- MDD will be rolled out across India and Africa to raise public awareness about Diabetes early detection and prevention aiming to reverse this worrying trend by preventing or delaying the development of diabetes in the African and Indian population as part of Merck Corporate Social Responsibility Agenda.

On the same day, Merck in collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences will also celebrate the success of the first year of Merck Capacity Advancement Program in India. More than 5000 medical undergraduates and healthcare providers have benefited from the European accredited Clinical Diabetes Management course in 2015. The program aims to target more than 25,000 students in India in the next five years.

Dr Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, The Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG

During Maharashtra Merck Diabetes Day, Dr Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, The Chairman of Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG stated “We are pleased to engage with the Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to improve access to better Diabetes Care as part of our commitment to the social and economic development of India. Supporting the Diabetes education and community outreach programs of the University will contribute significantly to improving awareness, early diagnosis and prevention of the disease across India”.

The rising numbers of diabetics all over the world calls for prioritizing diabetes care and awareness to prevent the disease from turning into an epidemic. The Merck Capacity Advancement Program seeks to improve the healthcare sector in India with special focus on rural areas through educating and empowering those affected by diabetes on how to manage and prevent it.

Rasha Kelej. Vice president and head of Global Business Responsibility and Market Development at Merck Serono,
biopharmaceutical business of Merck emphasized at the event “In India, there is a significant increase in the burden of non- communicable diseases, including diabetes. There is clear evidence to show that diabetes prevalence is rapidly increasing, especially in urban India. The conventional risk factors of urbanization, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, coupled with inherent genetic attributes and differences in body composition are propelling the increase in cases of diabetes. Accordingly, diabetes related complications are also on the rise and contribute significantly to overall morbidity and mortality. It was clear for us from the start that improvement of the levels of education and awareness of the disease will reduce its impact on health of the Indian population.”

Prof. Arun Jamkar, Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, MUHS emphasized “Today we are happy to celebrate the success of the first year of the program. We have successfully engaged the stakeholders in the field of medicine and diabetes in Maharashtra In joint collaboration with DMER and Merck to implement their Capacity Advancement Program, this Diabetes education and awareness program aim to provide awareness, guidelines and clinical practice for prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes and its complications for Maharashtra community members and medical undergraduates of the 18 medical colleges in Maharashtra university.”

Hon. Dr. Deepak R. Sawant Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra Government during the inauguration event of the Maharashtra Merck Diabetes Day – MMDD emphasized “The cost of managing diabetes is enormous and places a huge burden on already strained healthcare system. The lack of awareness on disease symptoms makes many diabetes patients to be diagnosed late when they have already developed complications such as blindness, foot ulcers or gangrene, heart diseases among others. There is a strong, new argument that by combining screening to find pre-diabetes and early diabetes, along with management aimed to keep glucose levels as close to normal as possible, we can change the natural history of the disease and improve the lives of our patients. Hence, I urge all Indians to get screened and be active in order to get healthier.”

 

Merck Launches “More than a Mother” Campaign Aiming to Reduce Social Suffering of Infertile Women in Africa

• “More than a Mother” will first be implemented in Kenya in partnership with University of Nairobi and Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and progressively rolled out in further African countries

Nairobi, Kenya, June 23, 2015 – Merck, a leading company for innovative, top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance materials, today announced the launch of the “More than a Mother” campaign as part of the Merck Capacity Advancement Program. The campaign will first be implemented in Kenya, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, and progressively rolled out in further African countries.

In some cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. As such, a central difficulty associated with infertility is that it can transform from an acute, private distress into a harsh, public stigma with complex and devastating consequences. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This may result in divorce or physical and psychological violence.

Belén Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Merck Healthcare, while kicking off the campaign during her meeting with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association

“Providing access to infertility care is important, but it is even more important to intervene to decrease stigmatization and social suffering arising from this condition,” said Belén Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Healthcare at Merck, during her meeting with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association to kick off the campaign.

Merck’s Capacity Advancement Program (CAP) forms a key pillar of the Group’s Corporate Responsibility activities in the strategic area of activity health. The 5-year program aims at expanding the professional capacity in developing countries in the areas such as research and development, advocacy building, medical education or community awareness. By the end of 2018, Merck plans to target more than 19,000 students in African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries, with special focus on non–communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and fertility management.

Prof. Koigi Kamau, University of Nairobi stressed: “Through the “More than a Mother” campaign, we will challenge the perception about infertile women, their roles and worth in society, both within and beyond the medical profession in order to achieve any systemic shift in the current culture of gender discrimination in the context of fertility care.”

The program will provide medical education and awareness for medical students and general practitioners and will also support governments to define policies to improve access to safe and effective fertility care, address the need for interventions to reduce stigmatization and social suffering of infertile women and raise awareness about male infertility and the necessity for a team approach to family building among couples.

Through this campaign Merck, a pioneer in reproductive health, will address together with local stakeholders, the key challenges that are associated with resource-constrained settings such as prevention of infertility, education and self-development, regulation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), geographic barriers, reproductive rights and over-population and limited resources arguments. A particular emphasis will be put on prevention programs, as infertility is caused by infections in over 85% of women in the Sub-Saharan region, compared to 33% worldwide.

Hon. Joyce Lay, Member of the Kenyan Parliament, emphasized: “In order to improve access to safe and effective fertility care, a discussion with the relevant authorities will be needed to discuss the strengthening of infertility services, education, auditing, regulation, community awareness and the need to integrate them in programs which already exist in the local health infrastructure.”

About the Merck Capacity Advancement Program (CAP)
The Merck CAP is a 5-year program aiming to expand the professional capacity in developing countries in the areas of research and development, advocacy building, supply-chain integrity and efficiency, pharmacovigilance, medical education, and community awareness.

As part of the CAP, by end of 2015, more than 5,000 medical students in partnership with African universities such as University of Nairobi, Makerere University, Namibia University and University of Ghana, in addition to Asian universities such as Maharashtra university, India and University of Indonesia will benefit from European-accredited clinical chronic diseases management training, which is seeking to equip them with skills to better manage and prevent these diseases.

Merck is planning to target more than 19,000 students by the end of 2018 expanding to more African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries with special focus on non–communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and fertility management. The program will also kick off initiatives on building research capacity and improving supply chain in order to improve patient safety in Africa.

 

Merck Serono and Medicines for Malaria Venture Sign Agreement to Develop Potential Antimalarial Therapy

• Worldwide agreement for the investigational antimalarial drug candidate, DDD107498, allows Merck Serono to continue focusing on developing therapies for neglected tropical and poverty-related diseases
• Agreement cements collaboration between Merck Serono and Medicines for Malaria Venture focused on antimalarial drug development

Darmstadt, Germany, April 1, 2015 – Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck, and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announced today that an agreement has been signed for Merck Serono to obtain the rights to the investigational antimalarial compound DDD107498 from MMV. This agreement underscores the commitment of Merck Serono to provide antimalarials for the most vulnerable populations in need.

“This agreement strengthens our Global Health research program and our ongoing collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture,” said Luciano Rossetti, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at Merck Serono. “MMV is known worldwide for its major contribution to delivering innovative antimalarial treatments to the most vulnerable populations suffering from this disease, and at Merck Serono we share this goal.”

DDD107498 originated from a collaboration between MMV and the University of Dundee Drug Discovery Unit, led by Prof. Ian Gilbert and Dr. Kevin Read. The objective of the clinical program is to demonstrate whether the investigational compound exerts activity on a number of malaria parasite lifecycle stages, and remains active in the body long enough to offer potential as a single-dose treatment against the most severe strains of malaria..

While development and commercialization of the compound is under Merck Serono’s responsibility, MMV will provide expertise in the field of malaria drug development, including its clinical and delivery expertise, and provide access to its public and private sector networks in malaria-endemic countries.

Merck Serono has a dedicated Global Health R&D group working to address key unmet medical needs related to neglected diseases, such as schistosomiasis and malaria, with a focus on pediatric populations in developing countries. Its approach is based on public-private partnerships and collaborations with leading global health institutions and organizations in both developed and developing countries.

“Working with partners like Merck Serono is critical to the progress of potential antimalarial compounds, like DDD107498, through the malaria drug pipeline,” said Dr. Timothy Wells, Chief Scientific Officer at MMV. “Their Global Health Program is gaining momentum and we need more compounds to tackle malaria, a disease that places a huge burden on the world’s most vulnerable populations. DDD107498 holds great promise and we look forward to working with the Merck Serono team through the development phase.”

According to the World Health Organization, there were an estimated 198 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2013, and an estimated 584,000 deaths, primarily in young children from the developing world. The launch of the not-for-profit research foundation, MMV, in 1999 and a number of collaborations and partnerships, including those with Merck Serono, has contributed to reducing the major gap in malaria R&D investment and subsequent dearth of new medicines.

“It’s hugely encouraging to see the German pharmaceutical industry increasing their engagement in the development of novel antimalarials,” said global malaria expert Prof. Dr. Peter Kremsner, Director of the Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany. “The Merck Serono and MMV collaboration to develop DDD107498 is a great step. It’s a compound that offers lots of promise so I’m excited to see how it progresses.”

About Medicines for Malaria Venture
MMV is recognized as the leading product development partnership (PDP) in the field of antimalarial drug research and development. Its mission is to reduce the burden of malaria in disease-endemic countries by discovering, developing and facilitating delivery of new, effective and affordable antimalarial drugs.

Since its foundation in 1999, MMV has developed and brought to registration four new medicines with its partners, two of which are already saving lives. Managing the largest portfolio of antimalarial R&D projects ever assembled, of over 65 projects, MMV has nine new drugs in clinical development addressing unmet medical needs in malaria, including medicines for children, pregnant women and relapsing malaria, and drugs that could support the elimination/eradication agenda. MMV’s success in research and access & product management comes from its extensive partnership network of over 375 pharmaceutical, academic and endemic-country partners in 50 countries.

MMV’s vision is a world in which innovative medicines will cure and protect the vulnerable and under-served populations at risk of malaria, and ultimately help to eradicate this terrible disease.

http://www.mmv.org

About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical business 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 news releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/newsabo to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

Merck is a leading company for innovative, top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance materials. The company has six businesses – Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars, Merck Millipore and Performance Materials – and generated sales of around € 11.3 billion in 2014. Around 39,000 employees work for Merck 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% interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company operates as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.

 

Merck Inaugurates Biomass Plant in Goa, India

• Co-generation unit promotes climate protection and energy efficiency
• To manufacture vitamin preparations, industrial and laboratory chemicals as well as microbiological products, among others

Goa/Mumbai, November 25, 2014 – Merck, a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life science sectors, today commissioned a climate-neutral co-generation plant at its production site in Goa, India.

In doing so, Merck is underscoring its commitment to climate protection and energy efficiency in line with its corporate responsibility. The project is part of a company-wide climate protection program. Merck previously commissioned a new co-generation plant at its headquarters in Darmstadt in July.

Dr. Thierry Hulot, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Manufacturing & Supply
and Member of Merck Pharmaceutical Executive Committee

Dr. Thierry Hulot, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Manufacturing & Supply and Member of Merck Pharmaceutical Executive Committee visited India on the occasion and inaugurated the plant. He said, “Merck’s new climate-neutral co-generation plant in Goa has a tremendous power output for our pharmaceutical and chemical production operations. In the manufacture of our products, we seek to impact the environment as little as possible. As a responsible company, we express our respect to the environment in an Industrial Plant that provides medicines for millions of patients in India.”

Merck’s Goa site is located in Usgao, around 45 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of the Indian state of Goa. This co-generation unit, which has a power output of three megawatts, generates electricity and steam for the pharmaceutical and chemical production operations in Goa. Merck is mainly recycling the shells of cashews and coconuts, two crops that are farmed in the region, to use as biomass. Overall, this will make it possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 11,500 metrics tons, corresponding to around 85% of the site’s total CO2 emissions. The biomass plant, which represents an investment of more than € 3 million, will ensure that the site has a reliable supply of energy and can operate independently of the public power grid. More than 300 employees manufacture vitamin preparations, industrial and laboratory chemicals as well as microbiological products, among other things.

Mr. Pramod Pimplikar, Director – Technical Operations, GMS- Merck Serono

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pramod Pimplikar, Director – Technical Operations, GMS- Merck Serono said, “We are extremely excited in being able to make a positive difference to our business, the environment and capacity building efforts. With this Green field site, we aim to reduce CO2 emission by 85% and deliver clean, green, efficient, reliable power and steam supply, improving efficiencies and contributing to the nation’s interest. By 2020 Merck KGaA has committed to reduce its global CO2 emissions by 20% and we are happy to be in a position to contribute to those efforts.”

The climate protection program Edison comprises around 300 climate protection and energy efficiency activities of the Merck Group. The objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation as well as to enhance the energy efficiency of research and production processes. Merck aims to reduce its total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, measured against the 2006 baseline. At its site in Jaffrey, New Hampshire (USA), Merck plans to commission a further biomass central heating plan next year.

Merck is a leading company for innovative, top-quality high-tech products in the chemical, pharmaceutical and life science sectors. With its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck generated total revenues of around € 11.1 billion in 2013. Around 39,000 employees work for Merck 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% interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds 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.