EMD Serono Announces Grant for Growth Innovation at ESPE in Barcelona

DARMSTADT, Germany, Oct. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced the recipients of the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI) for 2015. The awards were handed over during the official award ceremony yesterday evening at the 54th European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting currently taking place in Barcelona, Spain.

Seventy applications were received from 21 countries, an increase of more than fifteen percent compared to the number of entries last year. The applications were reviewed by an independent Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned endocrinologists and chaired by Professor Christian Strasburger, Head of Clinical Endocrinology at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin. Following a rigorous selection process two awards have been made to innovative projects which seek to advance understanding in the field of growth. The winning projects are based in the United Kingdom and the United States, and are as follows:

Professor David Dunger, MD 
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
"Effect of insulin sensitisation on Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I levels in response to Growth Hormone treatment in children born small for gestational age."

Edward List, PhD 
Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
"Experimental use of an alternative form of growth hormone."

"We are committed to supporting the advancement of science and medical research in the field of growth to deliver better outcomes for those living with growth hormone disorders. Following a successful debut last year, we are delighted that we had more entries from more countries for this year's Grant for Growth Innovation awards," said Professor Steven Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical Affairs and Global Drug Safety at the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "Supporting those who are pioneering new research in growth disorders through the Grant for Growth Innovation reflects our belief that innovation is the cornerstone in releasing potential in the treatment of these diseases."  

Notes to editors
Photos of the awards ceremony are available.

About the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI)
EMD Serono initiated the GGI program to support the advancement of understanding of the field of growth. A total grant of up to €400,000 per year divided between up to three research proposals will be awarded to one or more selected projects. Each application was blinded and evaluated by an independent Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned endocrinologists, according to five criteria: innovation; scientific rationale; clarity; feasibility; and impact of research.

For further information about the GGI and how to apply for next year's grants, please visit http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org

About EMD Serono
EMD Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading U.S. biopharma company focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, EMD Serono has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and devices, and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in neurology, oncology, immunology and immuno-oncology. Today, EMD Serono has more than 1,100 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts.

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

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance materials. The company has six businesses – Biopharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars, Life Science and Performance Materials – and generated sales of € 11.3 billion in 2014. Around 39,000 employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to foster the success of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company – since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70% interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company operates as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.

Cory Tromblee
Phone: 781.681.2393

SOURCE EMD Serono