GENEVA, September 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Fondation pour Genève has awarded its 2011 prize to the Geneva scientist Denis Duboule, a world-renowned developmental genetics specialist

- Merck Serono, in accordance with its policy to support the advancement of science, will sponsor the award ceremony

Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today the award of the 2011 prize of the Fondation pour Genève to the biologist Denis Duboule, Professor at the University of Geneva and at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), and Director of the national research initiative "Frontiers in Genetics." This prize has been awarded by the Fondation pour Genève each year since 1978 to honor a Geneva resident by birth or adoption, for his or her contribution to the city's reputation. This year, the prize has been awarded to Professor Duboule for his fundamental research on the mechanisms underlying establishment of the principal axes of the body and of limb formation.

"We are pleased that the Fondation pour Genève prize has been awarded to Professor Duboule for his outstanding genetic research focusing on the crucial role of architect genes," declared Dr. Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice-President of Global Research & Early Development at Merck Serono. "An understanding of physiological mechanisms may enable the development of new therapeutic approaches. This prize is a reward for the work of a pioneer symbolizing the vitality and excellence of the Geneva region with regard to life sciences."

Since 2007, when the Merck Serono division was created following the acquisition of Serono by Merck KGaA, the company has implemented a policy of partnering and sponsorship designed to stimulate scientific projects within the Lake Geneva region. Its notable commitments include research partnerships with academic centers such as the University of Geneva and the EPFL. Through Merck Serono's contribution, a research fund and three professorship chairs were created in 2007 at EPFL, dedicated respectively to neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease), cancer, and the development of new technologies for the administration of medicinal products.

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^®, cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif^®, interferon beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f^®, follitropin alfa), endocrine and metabolic disorders (Saizen^® and Serostim^®, somatropin), (Kuvan^®, sapropterin dihydrochloride), (Egrifta^®, tesamorelin), as well as cardiometabolic diseases (Glucophage^®, metformin), (Concor^®, bisoprolol), (Euthyrox^®, levothyroxine). Not all products are available in all markets.

With an annual R&D expenditure of over € 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.

About Merck

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 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 http://www.merckserono.com or http://www.merck.de

SOURCE Merck Serono S A