EMD Serono, Inc. Receives CEO Cancer Gold StandardTM Accreditation

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation, recognizing the organization's commitment to reducing the risk of cancer for their employees and their families by promoting healthy lifestyle choices, encouraging early detection through cancer screenings, and offering access to quality treatment.

“Achieving this milestone is a testament to EMD Serono’s commitment to ensuring we contribute to the betterment of society,” says Fereydoun Firouz, President and CEO of EMD Serono, Inc. “Across our employee base, there is a resounding dedication to fighting disease—professionally by finding better treatments as a result of our ongoing research, as well as personally through healthy living. We know cancer is devastating, and it’s our responsibility to deliver on the promise of making a difference in the lives of people who face this tremendous challenge."

The CEO Cancer Gold Standard calls for companies to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to fight cancer in the workplace. To earn Gold Standard accreditation, a company must establish programs that focus on reducing cancer risk by: discouraging tobacco use; encouraging physical activity; promoting a healthy diet and nutrition; detecting cancer at its earliest stages when outcomes may be more favorable; and providing access to quality care, including participation in cancer clinical trials.

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer is a nonprofit organization of cancer-fighting CEOs who created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, many of its designated cancer centers, and leading health non-profit organizations and professionals. Today, more than two million employees and family members are benefiting from the vision and leadership of employers who have chosen to become Gold Standard accredited.

“We are pleased that EMD Serono has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation, a result of the leadership of Fereydoun and his steadfast commitment to healthy living for EMD’s employees and their families,” said Chris Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of sanofi-aventis and chair of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.

EMD Serono has extensive employee benefits in place that support a healthy lifestyle, including smoking cessation programs, weight loss and nutrition support, wellness reimbursement, free on-site cancer screenings, and an on-site fitness center.

Cancer is a national epidemic affecting the US workforce and the US economy. Nearly 1.5 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2009. It is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. The National Institutes of Health estimate the overall costs of cancer in 2008 at $228.1 billion including direct medical costs as well as the cost of lost productivity due to illness and premature death. Finding cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage gives patients the greatest chance of survival.1

1All statistics are from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figures 2009 (www.cancer.org)

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leader in the US biopharmaceutical arena, integrating cutting-edge science with unparalleled patient support systems to improve people's lives. The company has strong market positions in neurodegenerative diseases, with Rebif® (interferon beta-1a), as well as in endocrinology, with Saizen® (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection), Serostim® (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection) and EGRIFTATM (tesamorelin for injection). EMD Serono is a leader in reproductive health, with Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection), Luveris® (lutropin alfa for injection) and Ovidrel® Prefilled Syringe (choriogonadotropin alfa injection). In addition, EMD Serono is growing its expertise and presence in the area of oncology, with more than 10 projects currently in development. With a clear focus on the patient and a leadership presence in the biopharmaceutical industry, EMD Serono’s US footprint continues to grow, with more than 1100 employees around the country and fully integrated commercial, clinical and research operations in the company’s home state of Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.emdserono.com.

About Merck KGaA

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 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.

About The CEO Roundtable on Cancer

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001, when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to "do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families." The CEOs responded by creating and encouraging the widespread adoption of the CEO Cancer Gold Standard, a comprehensive program designed to combat cancer from every angle by focusing on prevention, early detection and quality care. For more information on the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ and the web-based accreditation process and support, please visit www.CancerGoldStandard.org.



CONTACT:

EMD Serono, Inc.
Heather Hatfield, 781-681-2124

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Biotechnology  Clinical Trials  Oncology  Pharmaceutical  Research  Science

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