"Merck Serono is continuously working on improving its administration devices in order to meet patients' and healthcare professionals' needs," said Dr. Bharat Tewarie, Senior Vice President Global Business Unit Fertility and Metabolic Endocrinology of the Merck Serono division. "Fertility treatment specialists were involved from the beginning in the development of the new devices for the Merck Serono gonadotropins portfolio for fertility treatment. We are pleased to introduce today the specially designed injection devices that combine key features recommended by them."

The newly approved prefilled pens were designed to facilitate daily administration by patients during their fertility treatment. The pens immediately confirm that a complete dose was delivered, or indicate the missing amount if an incomplete dose is injected. Other key features include a new graduated scale on reservoir for patients to check the amount of medication remaining in the pen and a bi-directional dose dial allowing them to correct the dose dialed, if needed(1,2).

With a complete portfolio of gonadotropins, Merck offers fertility specialists the ability to tailor treatment to patients’ needs. Since the birth of the first IVF baby, nearly 4.3 million babies worldwide have been born with the help of in-vitro fertilization techniques(3). Merck Serono has helped thousands of infertile couples to realize their dream of becoming parents, and continues to seek new solutions that meet patients' treatment needs.

The New Gonal-f prefilled pens are approved and launched in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland, and are approved in Europe. Ovidrel/Ovitrelle prefilled pen is approved in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Luveris prefilled pen is approved in Australia, Canada and Europe.

About Merck and Fertility Treatment
Merck 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 (follitropin alfa), to stimulate the ovaries and produce eggs in women and spermatogenesis induction in men; Luveris (lutropin alfa), to stimulate follicular development in women who are profoundly LH deficient; Cetrotide® (cetrorelix acetate) to prevent a premature ovulation; Ovitrelle(choriogonadotropin alfa), to help follicles mature and release eggs; and Crinone® (progesterone gel), to help establish and maintain a pregnancy.

About Gonal-f
Gonal-f is a highly consistent recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) available in Filled by Mass (FbM) form, prescribed to supplement or replace naturally occurring FSH, an essential hormone to treat infertility.

Gonal-f has been approved in 100 countries worldwide - among which 74 countries have approved Gonal-f prefilled pen - including Europe and the US with indications of stimulation of the growth of ovarian follicles and ovulation in women. It is the most widely prescribed gonadotropin in the world.

For males, Gonal-f has been approved in 77 countries worldwide, including Japan, for gonadal dysfunction associated with absence of sperm in the semen or male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In certain markets where Gonal-f is approved for this indication, the therapy needs to be in combination with human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG).

In the US, Gonal-f Multi-Dose, available as the Gonal-f 1050 IU vial or Gonal-f 450 IU vial is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure as well as for ovulation induction and the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory female patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Gonal-f RFF Pen and 75 IU vial is approved for women only in the US.

About Luveris
Luveris (lutropin alfa) is a recombinant human luteinising hormone (r-hLH) developed to support follicular growth in women with severe FSH and LH deficiency. In the body, LH causes the release of eggs (ovulation) during the menstrual cycle. Luveris is used together with FSH, which also stimulates ovulation. Luveris is approved in more than 70 countries.

About Ovitrelle/Ovidrel
Ovitrelle/Ovidrel is the world's first and only recombinant chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG). Ovitrelle/Ovidrel is administered after the stimulation for the growth of follicles (or eggs) by another hormone (FSH). Approved in more than 80 countries, Ovitrelle/Ovidrel is indicated to induce final follicular maturation and trigger ovulation in women with no ovulation, and to induce final follicular maturation for women undergoing ART, such as in-vitro fertilization.

About Merck KGaA
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.

1. Christen et al. Expert Opinion in Drug Delivery 2011.
2. Abbotts et al. Patients Preference and Adherence
3. ESHRE, Focus on Reproduction - Sept. 2010