EMD Serono Launches Compassionate Corps Program to Reduce Cost of Fertility Treatment for Eligible Military Veterans and their Spouses

ROCKLAND, Mass., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany announced today its commitment to U.S. military veterans and their spouses with the introduction of the Compassionate Corps Program.  Through the program, veterans and their spouses may be eligible to receive free fertility medicine.

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"As a leader in fertility health, EMD Serono works to provide the products, devices and patient support that enable families who want to have a child," said Craig Millian, Senior Vice President, Head of US Endocrinology and Fertility.  "We are proud to add to our comprehensive access programs a new way to help serve the men and women of our military who may be experiencing financial barriers to fertility treatment."

To be eligible for the program, patients must be a retired member of the military or the spouse of one; be a veteran or the spouse of a veteran who is infertile due to a service-related injury, not otherwise insured for infertility medications; have been properly screened and diagnosed as infertile and requiring in vitro fertilization/advanced reproductive technology.

For more information about Compassionate Corps, including eligibility requirements, program details and enrollment forms, please visit www.CompassionateCorps.com.

Those U.S. military veteran patients who do not qualify for the Compassionate Corps Program and do not have insurance for fertility medications are encouraged to apply for EMD Serono's Compassionate Care Program in which they will now receive an automatic discount of 25% off the self-pay price of EMD Serono medicines. These patients can also qualify for 50 to 75% off of EMD Serono medications if they meet the financial eligibility criteria of EMD Serono's Compassionate Care Program.  For more information about this program, and about infertility, treatment options, and to find a specialist near you, please visit www.FertilityLifelines.com.

About EMD Serono, Inc.
EMD Serono, Inc., a subsidiary 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, endocrinology and in reproductive health. In addition, EMD Serono is growing its expertise and presence in the area of oncology, with more than 15 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 approximately 1,000 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, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. Its subsidiaries in Canada and the United States operate under the umbrella brand EMD. Around 38,000 employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to further the success of customers and to help meet global challenges. The company generated total revenues of €11.1 billion in 2013 with its four divisions: Biopharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Life Science Tools. Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company – since 1668, the name has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day.

Contact: Lisa Buffington
Phone 781-681-2340

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7244251-emd-serono-compassionate-corps-program-veterans-spouses-fertility

SOURCE EMD Serono