EMD Serono President and CEO Fereydoun Firouz Resigns

EMD Serono President and CEO Fereydoun Firouz Resigns

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that Fereydoun Firouz has resigned from his position as President and CEO. Following two decades of dedicated service to EMD Serono, formerly Serono, Mr. Firouz has independently decided to pursue other professional opportunities. James Hoyes, who is currently Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at EMD Serono, will serve as acting head of the organization on an ad interim basis.

Mr. Firouz began his career with Serono in 1989 as a Government Affairs Associate in the company's Washington, DC office, progressing into positions of increasing responsibility before taking the role of President and CEO of US operations in March 2003. During his tenure as President and CEO of EMD Serono, Mr. Firouz tripled the revenues and capabilities of the US organization, instilling pride, integrity and purpose amongst the employee base with a focus on advancing science and medicine, impacting the health of patients, being a leader, and contributing to society in a meaningful way.

"We would like to thank Fereydoun for his leadership and contributions to the company over the last two decades," said Stefan Oschmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA and President of Merck Serono. "Fereydoun's vision has been instrumental in helping us to build a solid US organization, which is well positioned to continue its successful growth in the future."

James Hoyes has been with the organization for seven years, previously serving as Executive Vice President of Neurology before moving into the CCO role. He has more than 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, holding senior positions at Elan, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Sanofi, and Sterling Drug.

Firouz's resignation took effect on May 3rd.

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 68 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.