Merck Serono Named One of the Best Places to Work in Industry by The Scientist Magazine

Merck Serono Ranked No. 24 Among the Top Life Sciences Organizations in Biotech/Pharma

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 3, 2010 - Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany,
today announced it has been named as one of the best places to work in the
industry by The Scientist magazine. Merck Serono ranked number 24 among the
top institutions. More than 240 companies participated in the survey overall.

"It's an honor to earn recognition from The Scientist as one
of the top companies to work for in the industry," said Bernhard Kirschbaum,
Head of Global Research and Development, Merck Serono. "It is the commitment,
focus and world-class expertise of our employees that truly makes a
difference to not only our organization, but to patients living with unmet
medical needs. Our employees play a critical role in ensuring that we
strengthen our reputation as a leader in the industry, and continue our
mission of advancing science and medicine."

Merck Serono's scores reflected the company's commitment to
its employees, with high marks in the areas of remuneration and benefits, and
training and development.

The Scientist's May issue is available now in print and online.

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 1 billion,
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 33,600 employees in 64 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, Media Relations, 1202 Geneva, Tel.: +41-22-414-36 00, Switzerland