EMD Serono, Inc. Receives Gold LEED® Rating

ROCKLAND, Mass., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that the company's state-of-the-art research center in Billerica, MA, is LEED® Gold certified under the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED® is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.  The Billerica research facility supports the company's commitment to developing and discovering innovative treatments in oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and fertility, and is one of only five laboratories in Massachusetts to achieve this high rating.

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"This distinguished certification from the U.S. Green Building Council is a reflection of our commitment to leadership, innovation, sustainability and making a difference in society," said Fereydoun Firouz, President and CEO, EMD Serono, Inc. "From the project's inception, we were committed to constructing a research facility that was founded on environmental responsibility and cutting-edge technology, to create a pioneering spirit among our scientists that fosters creativity and ingenuity in the development of new therapies in our core disease areas."

"EMD Serono's LEED® certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The EMD Serono research facility efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will significantly benefit future generations to come."

In February 2011, EMD Serono announced the completion of its Billerica research facility - a three-year construction project that included a $65 million expansion plan.  Approximately 200 scientists work at the facility focused on expertise in cancer biology, cancer immunotherapy, oncogene signaling, medicinal chemistry, molecular modeling, protein engineering, therapeutic antibodies and manufacturing cell lines across the core therapeutic areas of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and fertility.

The 140,000 square-foot research facility incorporates environmentally responsible design features throughout the offices and laboratory.  The building's green features include high efficiency variable speed chillers; energy efficient cooling towers; high efficiency boilers; low flow fume hoods; low velocity/pressure drop, energy efficient air distribution systems; energy recovery systems on exhaust; low flow water system; and energy efficient lighting and controls. Natural light is maximized throughout the building with solar panels utilized to generate electrical power for the lobby area, along with a daylight monitoring system incorporated throughout the building to reduce electrical usage.  In addition, more than 20% of the building contains recycled content, 95% of the building construction waste was recycled including brick and steel materials, and more than 50% of the wood is Forest Stewardship Council certified.  It is estimated that the EMD Serono research facility utilizes 19% less energy and approximately 72% less water than a comparable conventional building.  

EMD Serono worked with a number of Massachusetts businesses on this project. The architect on the research facility was Ellenzweig.  The construction manager was Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate services and construction management corporation. The mechanical engineers of the facility were BR+A and the civil engineers were BSC Group.

The Billerica facility is one of four Research & Development hubs within Merck Serono; other R&D centers are located in Germany, Switzerland and China. These state-of-the-art facilities foster enhanced collaboration and synergies to discover and develop innovative therapies.

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leader in the U.S. 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 EGRIFTA™ (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 U.S. 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 euro 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 U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.  Over 32,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising over 9.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive.  Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

SOURCE EMD Serono, Inc.