Merck Serono Opens Doors to Budding Scientists

Merck Serono hosted groups of motivated Swiss scholars, designated by the foundation "Swiss Youth in Science", for the fifth year in its labs.

GENEVA, March 14, 2011 - Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany,
announces today the completion of the second study week hosted this year in
its global headquarter in Geneva, covering projects in the field of genetics
in medicine and disease related biology. Merck Serono supports each year the
recognized foundation "Swiss Youth in Science" to promote the development of
medical research vocations by hosting groups of scholars in its labs. These
scholars are given the chance of getting a practical experience in labs and
of understanding the reality of research with the help of high-skilled
mentors.

"If we succeed in building well-prepared and motivated next
generations of scientists, we will enable the discovery of breakthrough and
innovative solutions to answer patients' unmet needs and to handle the global
medical challenges of the future. Therefore, supporting meaningful
initiatives to stimulate scientific curiosity and interest in research
careers among the young is a responsibility that Merck Serono is eager to
take on", said Dr. Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President, Global
Research and Development at Merck Serono. "As a leader in the medical field
and local employer in Switzerland, we are continuously working on deepening
our relationships with the Swiss community and with the academic institutions
of the Lake Geneva region", added Dietmar Eidens, Head of Global Human
Resources at Merck Serono.

Since 1989, the foundation "Swiss Youth in Science" whose
mission is to promote Science, works in collaboration with the local
Universities and the industry by organizing study weeks all over Switzerland
in different scientific disciplines. Traditionally, Merck Serono contributes
to the study weeks focused on chemistry and genetics that belong to its key
fields of expertise. This year, the foundation proposed four themes in the
frame of the genetics in biology and medicine week: molecular and cellular
biology, bioinformatics, neurobiology, and anthropology/evolutionary biology.
In this context, and to illustrate these research approaches, scholars have
developed, together with Merck Serono, their assignments in the areas of
pharmacology, immunology and new compounds screening. Under dedicated
supervision of Merck Serono mentors, students have performed short research
projects and presented them as posters at the final ceremony at the
University of Geneva.

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, a global pharmaceutical and chemical company. Headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and
markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates
as a separately incorporated affiliate of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer (Erbitux(R),
cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R), interferon beta-1a), infertility
(Gonal-f(R), follitropin alfa), endocrine and metabolic disorders (Saizen(R)
and Serostim(R), somatropin), (Kuvan(R), sapropterin dihydrochloride),
(Egrifta(TM), tesamorelin), 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 over 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
rheumatology.

For more information, please visit www.merckserono.com or
www.merck.de

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with
total revenues of EUR 9.3 billion in 2010, a history that began in 1668, and
a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 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 S.A. - Geneva, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève, Suisse,
Media relations, Tel: +41-22-414-36-00