Cardiff University and Merck Serono Launch International Survey for Couples Trying To Conceive

By Merck Serono, PRNE
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Largest Study Aimed at Understanding the Fertility Decision-Making Process of Today's Couples Trying to Conceive

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 4, 2010 - Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announces
that in collaboration with Cardiff University, it has launched the
International Fertility Decision-Making Study, a project aimed at better
understanding the decision-making process of couples trying to conceive, in
order to optimize Merck Serono's patient support programs. This project is
also supported by the International Consumer Support for Infertility (iCSi),
a leading network comprising nearly 50 patient organizations worldwide.
Translated into several languages, the survey is aimed at women and men
currently trying to have a baby in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain,
Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

"There is ample evidence of significant changes in fertility trends
worldwide. Fewer men and women are having children, parenthood is postponed
to a later age, family size is shrinking, and few people seek medical
treatment when they cannot conceive spontaneously," said Dr. Jacky Boivin of
Cardiff School of Psychology, Cardiff University and co-leader of the
research team.

Dr. Laura Bunting of Cardiff School of Psychology, Cardiff University and
co-leader of the research team added: "A full understanding of these trends
has been limited due to a lack of contemporary data on issues that really
make a difference to people deciding whether and/or when to have children.
The International Fertility Decision-Making Study will generate data to help
understand and address the barriers that make it difficult for today's
couples to start families."

Fereydoun Firouz, Head of the Global Business Unit Fertility and
Metabolic Endocrinology of Merck Serono declared: "International estimates
suggest that only 56% of couples with fertility problems seek medical advice
and only 22% receive fertility treatment.[1] Merck Serono is proud to partner
with Cardiff University in this global initiative, which will help improve
understanding of the psychosocial aspects involved and enable us to provide
further support to couples facing fertility issues."

The survey is accessible to all women and men aged 18 to 49 years old who
are trying to conceive. It includes questions about health status, fertility
knowledge and beliefs, experiences and intentions about fertility medical
services. Results of the survey will be made available in the second half of
2010.

References

[1] Boivin J et al, International estimates of infertility prevalence and
treatment seeking: potential need and demand for infertility medical care.
Hum Reprod. 2007; 22: 1506-1512

About Merck Serono and Fertility Treatment

Merck Serono is the world leader in fertility treatments, and
the only company to offer a full portfolio of fertility drugs for every stage
of the reproductive cycle and recombinant versions of the three hormones
needed to treat infertility: GONAL-f(R) (follitropin alfa), to stimulate the
ovaries and produce eggs in women and spermatogenesis induction in men;
Luveris(R) (lutropin alfa), to stimulate follicular development in women who
are profoundly LH deficient; Pergoveris(R) (follitropin alfa/lutropin alfa)
to stimulate follicular development in women with severe LH and FSH
deficiency; Cetrotide(R) (cetrorelix acetate) to prevent a premature
ovulation; Ovitrelle(R) (choriogonadotropin alfa), to help follicles mature
and release eggs; and Crinone(R) (progesterone gel), to help establish and
maintain a pregnancy.

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription
pharmaceuticals of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global pharmaceutical
and chemical company. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono
discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative small molecules and
biopharmaceuticals to help patients with unmet medical needs. In the United
States
and Canada, EMD Serono operates through separately incorporated
affiliates.

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 well
as cardiometabolic diseases (Glucophage(R), metformin), (Concor(R),
bisoprolol), (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine). Not all products are available in
all markets.

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

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with
total revenues of EUR 7.7 billion in 2009, a history that began in 1668, and
a future shaped by approximately 33,000 employees in 61 countries. Its
success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees.
Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which
the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders
own 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 www.merckserono.com or
www.merck.de

Merck Serono, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland; Media Relations, Tel: +41-22-414-36-00

Biotechnology News

Merck Serono News

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :