Top 10 Bio pharmaceutical Companies Report 2009

This edition of the Top 10 Biopharmas marks the end of an era. After this year, we’ll no longer be able to pencil in Amgen as our #1 biopharma, since Roche is poised to take that slot. A lot of major pharmas have talked about “becoming a global biopharma.” I wonder how many more of them will make the transition to this list in the next 5-10 years. (In fact, it’s not hard to imagine one or two follow-on biologics being enough to tip a generic company into the world of Top Biopharmas . . .)

On the positive side, the emergence of Alexion Pharma and its Soliris MAb allowed me to get a legit #10 company on the list. Remember: building this list is more of an art than a science, so if you can think of a biopharma that should be here — that is, a drug company that makes more than 60% of its pharma revenues from large-molecule drugs — drop me a line at gil@rodpub.com!

1. Amgen

Our medicines have made a dramatic difference in the lives of millions. That is the most important measure of our success.

Amgen strives to serve patients by transforming the promise of science and biotechnology into therapies that have the power to restore health or even save lives. In everything we do, we aim to fulfill our mission to serve patients. And every step of the way, we are guided by the values that define us.

Our Mission: To Serve Patients

Our Values:

Be Science-Based

Our success depends on superior scientific innovation, integrity and continuous improvement in all aspects of our business through the application of the scientific method. We see the scientific method as a multi-step process that includes designing the right experiment, collecting and analyzing data and rational decision making. It is not subjective or emotional, but rather a logical, open and rational process. Applying the scientific method in all parts of the organization is expected and highly valued.

Compete Intensely and Win

We compete against time, past performance and industry rivals to rapidly achieve high quality results. Winning requires taking risks. We cannot be lulled into complacency by previous achievements. Though we compete intensely, we maintain high ethical standards and demand integrity in our dealings with competitors, customers, partners and each other.

Create Value for Patients, Staff and Stockholders

We provide value by focusing on the needs of patients. Amgen creates a work environment that provides opportunities for staff members to reach their full potential. We strive to provide stockholders with superior long-term returns while balancing the needs of patients, staff and stockholders.

Be Ethical

We are relentless in applying the highest ethical standards to our products, services and communications.

Trust and Respect Each Other

Every job at Amgen is important and every Amgen staff member is important. We attract diverse, capable and committed people and provide an environment that fosters inclusion, respect, individual responsibility and values diversity. Trust is strengthened through personal initiative and by obtaining quality results rapidly.

Ensure Quality

Quality is a cornerstone of all of our activities. We seek the highest quality information, decisions and people. We produce high quality products and services. Quality is woven into the fabric of everything we do.

Work in Teams

Our teams work quickly to move scientific breakthroughs from the lab through the clinic to the marketplace and to support other aspects of our business. Diverse teams working together generate the best decisions for patients, staff and stockholders. Our team structure provides opportunities for Amgen staff to impact the direction of the organization, to gain broader perspective about other functions within Amgen and to reach their full potential.

Collaborate, Communicate and Be Accountable

Leaders at Amgen seek input and involve key stakeholders in important decisions. In gathering input, strong leaders will welcome diverse opinions, conflicting views and open dialogue for serious consideration. They will clearly communicate decisions and rationale openly and in a timely manner. Once a decision is made, the leader and members of the team will all be accountable for the results and for implementing the decision rapidly.

The above Declaration and Amgen's Code of Conduct can be printed from this website. You will find a link to download, and then print, Amgen’s Code of Conduct under “Code of Conduct” on the left side of this page. If you would like to receive a printed version of this Annual Declaration of Compliance or Amgen’s Code of Conduct, you may call Amgen’s Business Conduct Hotline at (888) 376-5574. If you call the Business Conduct Hotline, please state that you are requesting a printed copy of Amgen’s Annual Declaration of Compliance and/or Code of Conduct.

At Amgen, it’s everyone’s responsibility to Do The Right Thing by conducting business ethically. This means that our staff members must:

• Understand and adhere to the Code of Conduct, which requires that they follow all applicable laws and Amgen policies.
• Seek clarification or guidance when they have a compliance question.
• Report a concern when they suspect a violation of the Code of Conduct, an Amgen policy or applicable law through the Business Conduct Hotline, or any of the other various resources listed in the Code of Conduct, Section 3-1.
• Use their good judgment and act with honesty and integrity.

All regular Amgen staff are required to complete Code of Conduct training. Every person conducting business for Amgen worldwide must follow our Code of Conduct, together will all applicable laws and company policies. This includes all staff as well as consultants, contract workers and temporary workers. The Code of Conduct applies to all Amgen locations, affiliates and subsidiaries.

Genentech to Lay Off Hundreds in Bay Area

Details of layoffs now clear, and 200 jobs at headquarters will be lost, another 100 in Vacaville

Awards & Recognition

We are regularly recognized as leaders in the biotechnology industry. We also receive recognition and awards for our overall performance as a company, our dynamic workplace culture, our contributions to the community and our patient advocacy. Here are some of our most recent achievements.

Pioneering Partnerships

Today, approximately 50% of Genentech’s pipeline and marketed products derive from successful collaborations with companies and institutions from around the world.

We’re known for exceptional science and pioneering medical breakthroughs. We bring that same innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to our partnerships.

Business Development

At Genentech, we’re committed to building collaborations that create the most value for each partner.

We’re flexible. Our business development team custom designs collaborations to meet each partner’s needs. Deal structures range from traditional milestone and royalty deals to acquisitions and options. We often fund collaborative research.

We welcome opportunities in the following areas:

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Immunology
• Infectious Disease
• Metabolic Disease
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Ophthalmic Disease
• Biomarker Assay Technologies
• Therapeutic Lead Discovery Technologies

Alliance Management

It is important for both partners to have a productive business relationship as well as complimentary scientific contributions. We typically provide an alliance manager as your main contact for business and relationship matters once the collaboration begins. This helps both teams stay focused on advancing science and delivering benefit to patients.

How the alliance manager benefits our partnerships:

• Serves as a responsive resource to address business-related matters
• Efficiently manages basic business operations
• Anticipates needs in support of major decisions and events
• Engages with governance committees for strategic alignment
• Ensures a smooth transition to Roche's global development organization following Phase II proof-of-concept

Collaborate with Us

If you would like to partner with Genentech, please provide a detailed non-confidential package that describes the opportunity, including scientific supporting data, such as mechanism of action for therapeutics.

Send your proposals to:
busdev@gene.com

Business Development
Genentech, Inc.
1 DNA Way, MS 53
South San Francisco, California 94080

Our Relationship with Roche

Genentech and Roche maintain independent R&D organizations served by separate business development groups. Genentech Partnering supports the Genentech Research and Early Development group, responsible for developing drug candidates from discovery through Phase II proof-of-concept in humans. View our pipeline.

With a separate budget and independent decision-making, we pursue our own R&D collaborations with companies and academic institutions from all over the world. Then we leverage the Roche global infrastructure for late-stage development, manufacturing and commercialization.

or Questions About Our Medicines

• Report an Adverse Event

  Phone: (888) 835-2555
  Hours: 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week

• Medical Communications

  Phone: (800) 821-8590
  Hours: Monday - Friday, 5:30am - 4pm PST

• Clinical Trial Information

  Phone: (888) 662-6278
  Hours: Monday - Friday, 6am - 3pm PST

Investors

On March 26, 2009, Genentech, Inc. became a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group. In connection with the privatization, public shareholders received $95.00 per share for their shares and Genentech's common stock (symbol: DNA) ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Share tendering

Questions regarding Genentech shares not tendered in the privatization transaction should be directed to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services by phone:
+1 866-223-9154 from within the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico (toll free)
+1 201-680-6579 from outside the United States

Phones are open 9am to 6pm New York time, Monday through Friday, except for bank holidays.

Transmittal materials

By Mail:
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
Attn: Corporate Action Dept.
PO Box 358300
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8300

By Overnight Courier or By Hand:

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
Attn: Corporate Action Dept., 27th Floor
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310

Supplier Relations

We achieve our corporate goals by employing best-of-class practices in the acquisition of goods and services and by seeking optimal value and quality at the best price with qualified suppliers.

As a supplier, your business supports Genentech's mission and values. At Genentech, we commit ourselves to high standards of integrity in contributing to the best interests of patients, the medical profession, our employees and our communities. Suppliers are expected to understand and embrace these ideas when conducting business with Genentech and the supplier's partners.

Expectations of Our Suppliers

Suppliers play an important part in our success. As such, we request that, in the course of conducting business with Genentech, suppliers refrain from conduct that is outside our ethical boundaries.

We expect our suppliers to practice the following ethical standards:

• Avoid the intent or appearance of unethical or compromising conduct.
• Avoid personal or business activity that could create a conflict of interest.
• Protect confidential or proprietary information provided by Genentech.
• Do not seek information about other Genentech suppliers (prices, services, performance, etc.).
• Use the appropriate communication channels.
• Do not provide gifts or entertainment of more than minimal value.

What We Purchase

As a dynamic biotechnology company, we seek suppliers with innovative products and ideas that will contribute to the continuing growth of our commercial, manufacturing, research, development and business support efforts. Suppliers should provide quality products and excellent customer service at competitive prices.

Compliance Programs

Genentech engages in research, development, manufacture, and marketing of biotechnology products for serious or life-threatening diseases. As a fundamental part of our corporate mission and values, we are committed to the highest standards of behavior.

These high standards are important to our success and represent how we operate as a business. These standards, which we call the U.S.Pharma Code of Conduct, apply to our officers and employees, as well as to our directors in their activities on our behalf.

The purpose of our Commercial and Development Comprehensive Compliance Program is to assist us in maintaining compliance with the laws, regulations and company directives and guidance that apply to the commercialization of our products, to train our employees on these matters and to prevent, detect, and correct instances of non-compliance.

gCom Compliance and Ethics Phone Line

gCom is our Compliance and Ethics Phone Line. We created gCom to provide a confidential way for our employees, vendors and others to report issues, complaints or concerns about a suspected breach in ethics, compliance requirements, financial accounting or financial auditing matters, or company policy that has the potential to result in criminal or civil liability for the company.

Contact Information

Views On Public Policy

We believe it's vital to share our views on the public policy issues and initiatives that affect our business and our industry.

By making our positions public and clear, we aim to start a useful conversation about the issues we face, so that we can develop creative and thoughtful solutions to these challenges. Currently, we have statements about the following issues: biosimilars, clinical trial transparency and drug pricing.

3. Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is synonymous with diabetes care inIndia . Novo Nordisk has introduced products and services hitherto not seen in the area of diabetes care in the country.

Over the last decade Novo Nordisk has been able to ensure that there is a marked improvement in the way people with diabetes live and work.

As part of our efforts to be at the forefront of bringing information to people with diabetes  in India, we have attempted to highlight various aspects of diabetes which you would like to know about.

As part of our activities, we have always endeavoured to stay in touch with persons with diabetes as well as the medical fraternity.

History

Novo Nordisk Denmark story
 Novo Nordisk's history spans more than 80 years. The story begins in 1922 when a Danish couple, August and Marie Krogh, travelled to America. August Krogh was a professor at the University of Copenhagen who had received the Nobel Prize in physiology. His wife, Marie Krogh, was a doctor and researcher in metabolic diseases.  Marie also suffered from late-onset (type 2) diabetes.


While in America the Kroghs heard of two Canadian researchers, Frederick Banting and Charles Best, who were treating people with diabetes with an insulin extract from bovine pancreases. The Kroghs were very interested in this treatment because of Marie's diabetes, and they ultimately were granted permission to produce insulin in Denmark.


On their return to Denmark, Krogh and Dr H C Hagedorn, a specialist in the regulation of blood sugar, decided that some extensive research was required. They called on the Danish pharmacist August Kongsted who offered to pay for the research and help start production. On 21 December 1922 the two men succeeded in extracting a small quantity of insulin from a bovine pancreas and the first patients were treated in March 1923. In spring 1923 they founded Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium (Nordisk).

In 1923 the engineer Harald Pedersen joined Nordisk to build the machines used for insulin production. His brother, Thorvald Pedersen, was later recruited to analyse the chemical processes during insulin production. However, Thorvald Pedersen did not get on with Hagedorn, and in 1924 Hagedorn fired him. Out of loyalty to his brother Harald resigned and the two brothers set up on their own. By 1924 they too were successfully producing insulin and in 1925 the brothers sent a letter to Danish pharmacists informing them that Insulin Novo and the newly developed Novo syringe were now on sale. The brothers named their company Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium (Novo). There were now two firms in Denmark that were to develop into the world's leading manufacturers of insulin.

Over the next 65 years both companies rapidly expanded. Both established large research units and competed furiously to be the first on the market with new products for the treatment of diabetes. Nordisk and Novo also both began to diversify by developing other products. Novo became the world's largest producer of industrial enzymes, and Nordisk developed drugs for the treatment of haemophilia and growth disorders.

In January 1989 Novo and Nordisk decided to join forces. Having competed with each other for more than 60 years, the two companies could now concentrate their combined forces on developing new products for treating diabetes and on conquering world markets. The new company was called Novo Nordisk A/S.

In early 1999 it was decided that Novo Nordisk would demerge into two main businesses: Healthcare and Enzymes.  The demerger enables the two businesses to increase their operational freedom and focus on what they do best. On 14 November 2000 Novo Nordisk and Novozymes began operating as two separately listed companies. And so the story continues...

History of NN India

Novo Nordisk India story

The genesis of Novo Nordisk India goes back to 1990 when a liaison office of Novo Nordisk A/S, was set up in Mumbai. Prior to this Novo Nordisk A/S products were marketed in India through various other companies. Even then, Novo Nordisk was involved in creating awareness in diabetes care with the help of healthcare professionals in India.

On April 1, 1994, Novo Nordisk (I) Pvt. Ltd. was set up with its headquarters in Bangalore with 26 employees. It has now been rechristened as Novo Nordisk India Private Limited.

In 1998, recognising the intense need to provide awareness and education in healthcare in  India, the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) was founded. NNEF is a non-profit organisation, with a mission of "Enhancing healthcare through awareness and education".

Novo Nordisk India's portfolio of products and services deals with therapy areas in Diabetes, Human Growth Hormone and Haemostasis Management.

Novo Nordisk WAY is Our Way

In 1923, our Danish founders began a journey to change diabetes.

Today, we are thousands of employees across the world with the passion, the skills and the commitment to continue this journey to prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes.

• Our ambition is to strengthen our leadership in diabetes
• Our key contribution is to discover and develop innovative biological medicines and make them accessible to patients throughout the world.
• We aspire to change possibilities in haemophilia and other serious chronic conditions where we can make a difference.
• Growing our business and delivering competitive financial results is what allows us to help patients live better lives, offer an attractive return to our shareholders and contribute to our communities.
• We never compromise on quality and business ethics.
• Our business philosophy is one of balancing financial, social and environmental considerations - we call it 'The Triple Bottom Line'.
• We are open and honest, ambitious and accountable, and treat everyone with respect.
• We offer opportunities for our people to realise their potential.

Every day, we must make difficult choices, always keeping in mind, what is best for patients, our employees and our shareholders in the long run.

It's the Novo Nordisk Way.

Novo Nordisk Way Essentials

The Essentials are ten statements describing what the Novo Nordisk Way looks like in practice. They are meant as a help to our managers and employees for evaluating to what extent our organisation acts in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way.

The Essentials are as such an important means for identifying actions which our organisation may take to further align our way of working with the thinking and values that characterise the Novo Nordisk Way.

1. We create value by having a patient centred business approach.

2. We set ambitious goals and strive for excellence.

3. We are accountable for our financial, environmental and social performance.

4. We provide innovation to the benefit of our stakeholders.

5. We build and maintain good relations with our key stakeholders.

6. We treat everyone with respect.

7. We focus on personal performance and development.

8. We have a healthy and engaging working environment.

9. We optimise the way we work and strive for simplicity.

10. We never compromise on quality and business ethics.

About Novo Nordisk Way

The Novo Nordisk Way is a document intended and written for employees in Novo Nordisk. However, we are proud of the promises we make and would like to share this insight with a broader audience.

The Novo Nordisk Way describes who we are, where we want to go and how we work.

Its origin can be traced back to when the company was founded in the 1920s although at that time we did not have a name for it. Since then our company has developed in a way that our founders couldn't have imagined. Today, we are leaders in our fields, we have become a truly global company and millions of patients all over the world rely on our products every day to ensure their health and well-being. And all along we stayed true to the values that have helped bring us this far.

The Novo Nordisk Way sets direction for and applies to all employees in Novo Nordisk. It is a promise we make to each other - and to our stakeholders outside the company. Each and every employee is responsible for acting in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way - and to help each other understand what it means in practice.

Making sure we walk the talk

At Novo Nordisk we have a year long tradition for following up on our promises and making sure they are kept. The Novo Nordisk Way is no exception. We conduct so called Novo Nordisk Way facilitations - which can be thought of as 'values audits'. Senior employees are appointed 'facilitators' and they travel the organisation to interview employees, managers and internal stakeholders of the unit, looking into documents and local business practices. Ultimately, this input forms the basis for an assessment of to which degree the unit is running its business in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way. Just as they can identify findings which are areas for improvement, the Facilitators also identify best practices which can be shared throughout the company.

Every unit is facilitated at least every third year - some every year. Consolidated observations and trends from the Facilitation process are reported to Executive Management quarterly and the Board of Directors annually.

This assurance helps safeguard our strong company culture of responsible and sustainable business practices and engaged employees and stakeholders. Facilitations ensure that the Novo Nordisk Way exists not only as words, but as the way we run our business around the world.

The making of the Novo Nordisk Way

The Novo Nordisk Way was last updated in 2010 where the Executive management team decided to update and revise the former document, called the Novo Nordisk Way of Management which had served our company well for a decade. The CEO, Lars Rebien Sørensen and his colleagues set out to select input from internal and external stakeholders. The journey lasted for five months and took them to seven destinations around the world meeting face-to-face with more than 350 employees and 100 patients, health care providers and other stakeholders.

Through extended use of social media internally, many employees contributed with ideas, wishes and suggestions for what should be addressed in the Novo Nordisk Way.

The key conclusion from the input phase was that we do have a very strong and unique culture. The key objective was hence not to change anything radically on the contrary, there was a strong wish to reinforce the existing business principles and values however in a more condensed way.

Senior management teams were included in the digestion of this input and took part in the revision of the Novo Nordisk Way.

If you want to learn more about the making and roll out of the Novo Nordisk Way, please contact Mette Aaagard Hertz (mahz@novonordisk.com) or Nicole Seroff (nsff@novonordisk.com).

ustainability


Sustainable development is about preserving the planet while improving the quality of life for its current and future inhabitants.
The Triple Bottom Line

At Novo Nordisk, sustainable development has been an integral part of the way we do business for more than a decade. Our way of translating it into practice is the Triple Bottom Line.


In all our work, we strive to be economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound.

Balancing the Triple Bottom Line is about considering each of these elements when making business decisions. In this way, we not only manage a sound business, but we also demonstrate our commitment to driving sustainable development – both locally and globally.
Economic viability

The economic component of the Triple Bottom Line is often assumed to mean the company’s financial performance. But it is more than that.

Finance concerns the market valuation of transactions that pass through the company's books. Economics, on the other hand, is the means by which society uses human and natural resources in the pursuit of human welfare.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, remaining economically viable means managing the business in a way that secures corporate profitability and growth, and seeks to leave a positive economic footprint in the community. This includes rewarding employees, making profit for shareholders, and investing in growing the business.

 
Social responsibility

Social responsibility is about caring for people. This applies to the people who rely on the company’s products and to employees. It also considers the impact of the business on the global society and the local community.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, social responsibility is more than a virtue – it is a business imperative. It is an investment in our future.

Environmental responsibility

Environmental responsibility addresses the company’s impact on the external environment as well as the bioethical implications of our activities, such as animal experimentation and safety issues regarding the use of genetic engineering.

Our approach

At Novo Nordisk, the pursuit of sustainable development considers the perspectives of communities, governments, industry and society within the framework of an international agenda. We believe that this broad vision is essential for tackling global environmental issues, such as climate change. That is why our approach to assessing and acting upon our environmental performance focuses not only on the impact of our production, but also on the role we play as a representative of our industry.

For more information on sustainability visit: http://www.novonordisk.com/sustainability

Changing Diabetes


Changing Diabetes is the ambition that drives us forward in everything we do.

As the global diabetes pandemic gathers speed, adding millions of newly diagnosed patients each year, the need for radical and immediate action becomes more urgent. The reality is that it doesn't have to be this way; armed with this knowledge we feel obligated to act.

We know that these numbers will not be reversed with treatment alone. As a world leader in diabetes care we believe that we must be a catalyst for change at every level – this means through science, humanitarian outreach, education, and in public policy worldwide.

We put people first in everything we do; that is why we will continue to build partnerships with external organisations whenever we see that such a collaboration will generate a positive and significant change for people with diabetes.

From the science lab, the doctor's clinic and the school classroom, we are relentless in our mission: we will not rest until we have defeated the diabetes pandemic.

We know that change comes from within, that's why our people are driving change today, to create a brighter tomorrow

For more information on the initiatives and programs that have already sent a wave of change in the world of diabetes click on the following link

Contact us

You can get in touch with us at :

Novo Nordisk India Limited

Plot No.32, 47-50,

EPIP Area, Whiltefield,

Bangalore - 560 066

Telephone : +91 80 4030 3200

Fax No.    : +91 80 4112 3518

email : prindia@novonordisk.com

Merck Serono

The biotech company confirms the closure of the sites of Geneva and Coinsins, as reads the statement:

Merck Serono Announces Final Efficiency Program for Switzerland

• Closure of the Geneva and Coinsins sites is confirmed
• Social plan and support for affected employees enhanced
• Merck Serono will support potential start-ups by its employees through up to € 30 million financing fund
• Wide-ranging discussions to identify job opportunities for employees made redundant are ongoing
• Merck Serono will maintain a substantial and strategic presence in Switzerland with close to 1,000 employees in Aubonne, Corsier-sur-Vevey and Zug

Merck Serono, a division of Merck in Darmstadt, Germany, announced today the outcome of the Swiss consultation process and the final plan for restructuring its operations in Switzerland. This includes the closure of the Geneva and Coinsins sites.

The initial proposal was presented by the Company to employees on April 24, 2012, providing Swiss-based employees the opportunity to provide alternative proposals in order to avoid the job cuts envisaged in the plan, to reduce their number, or to minimize their impact, in accordance with Swiss law.

The final measures presented today are the result of the analysis by the Company of all proposals received from employees and numerous discussions with employee representatives including the trade union Unia, during and after the consultation period. While several aspects of the proposals received from employees relating to the social plan have been incorporated by Merck Serono, the Company could not retain the proposals advocating maintenance of its activities in Geneva. After a thorough review of these proposals, the Company has determined that these proposals are not viable or practicable given the need to eliminate existing duplications of functions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business as announced on February 24, 2012 by Merck. Merck Serono has determined that this can only be achieved through the consolidation of headquarter activities and European R&D activities at the Group's headquarter in Darmstadt, Germany.

"The restructuring of Merck Serono's activities in Switzerland is part of an extensive program concerning all regions and all businesses of the Merck Group, necessitated by the unprecedented market shifts and the competitive environment facing the Group," said Stefan Oschmann, Executive Board Member of Merck and CEO of Merck Serono. "This restructuring process involves tough measures, but these are essential to safeguard the future of Merck Serono. We remain committed to supporting our employees during this difficult transition period."

During the consultation period, extending from April 25, 2012 to June 4, 2012, employees submitted numerous proposals. Concerning the Geneva site, the majority of these proposals focused on three major themes: the maintenance of all or some of Merck Serono's activities in Geneva, the development of a biotech cluster in Geneva, and the measures proposed in the context of the social plan. With regard to the Aubonne, Coinsins and Corsier-sur-Vevey sites, the proposals advocated in particular a one-year moratorium on job cuts, favoring normal fluctuations, part-time employment and the replacement of temporary staff by permanent employees.

"The management team and experts in the businesses have reviewed all proposals and we were able to take into account some of the proposals received, notably those concerning the social plan. Employees who proposed ideas for developing service companies targeting the biopharmaceutical industry are encouraged to apply for support from the fund of up to € 30 million that has been established by Merck Serono. We have already received many proposals and several are at an advanced stage of discussion," said François Naef, Chairman of the Board of Merck Serono S.A. "We continue to aggressively pursue discussions with potential partners, the authorities and other companies and organizations active in the Lake Geneva area to identify as rapidly as possible job opportunities for affected employees."

The program designed to facilitate the creation of start-ups, initiated on April 24, 2012, comprises various forms of support, including capital investment, granting of intellectual property licenses and/or cession of material assets, according to the needs of the project envisaged. Merck Serono has committed to dedicate up to € 30 million for this purpose. Several projects are currently under evaluation and employees can continue to submit projects up to September 30, 2012.

Merck Serono has taken into account several proposals to improve the already very competitive measures originally envisaged in the draft social plan. For example, the minimum age for early retirement eligibility has been lowered from 58 to 56 years and employees who resign before the expected end of their contract will retain the right to part of their severance payment under certain conditions.

Merck Serono will consolidate all headquarter functions on a Merck Serono campus in Darmstadt, Germany, where the Merck Group has been located for nearly 350 years and has its global headquarter. It will also focus its R&D resources in three hubs located in Europe (Darmstadt), the USA (Boston) and Asia (Beijing). Out of the 1,250 positions currently located in Geneva, approximately 750 will be transferred to other sites (including 130 to the Canton of Vaud) and around 500 will be reduced to eliminate duplications and create a leaner, more agile organization. Approximately 80 positions will be made redundant in the sites located in the Canton of Vaud (Aubonne, Coinsins and Corsier-sur-Vevey). The manufacturing operations currently based in Coinsins will be relocated to Aubonne.

Employees will be informed about their personal situation by the end of July 2012. It is expected that the majority of transfers and reductions will be completed in the second half of 2012. Closure of the Geneva site is planned in mid-2013, and that of the Coinsins site in 2014.

For those employees that will accept transfer offers with Merck Serono to a site outside of Switzerland, the Company will be offering comprehensive and attractive relocation benefits to help them and their families settle rapidly in their new location.

Despite these efficiency measures, Merck Serono will maintain a substantial and strategic presence in Switzerland. Its biotech production sites located in Aubonne and Corsier-sur-Vevey will continue to manufacture its leading medicines for the entire world. In addition, Merck Serono's new unit dedicated to biosimilars, a novel activity crucial for the future, will also be based in the Canton of Vaud. Finally, the commercial operations based in Zug will continue to serve physicians and patients in Switzerland. Overall, Merck Serono will continue to employ close to 1,000 people in Switzerland.

Merck Serono will continue to focus on meeting the needs of patients, doctors, the authorities, and other stakeholders throughout this transition period.

Focusing our expertise to make a difference

We truly believe that our focused expertise can make a real difference to people living with serious diseases. Not everything we do leads to a breakthrough, but we never lose sight of the human need that motivates us.

Oncology – Erbitux®
Merck Serono focuses on developing novel, cancer-specific therapies that provide beneficial therapeutic outcomes and create new options for cancer patients. Our monoclonal antibody, Erbitux, specifically blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to enhance the effect of chemotherapy and radiotherap

Neurodegenerative diseases – Rebif®
Merck Serono is a market leader in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with Rebif®, approved for the treatment of relapsing MS in over 90 countries worldwide.

 Fertility – GONAL-f®, Ovidrel, Luveris®, Cetrotide®, Crinone®, Pergoveris®
Merck Serono is the world leader in fertility treatment. We 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, allowing physicians to tailor treatment to individual patient needs.
Endocrinology – Saizen®, Serostim®, Zorbtive®, Kuvan®, Egrifta™
Merck Serono was a pioneer in making recombinant human growth hormone available for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children and adults (Saizen) and for the treatment of HIV-associated wasting (Serostim). Today, our range of specialized therapies in this area includes Kuvan® (sapropterin dihydrochloride), the only drug indicated in Europe for the treatment of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to phenylketonuria (PKU) in patients over the age of 4; or due to tetrahydrobiopterin BH4 deficiency. In the US, we offer EGRIFTA™ (tesamorelin for injection) as the first and only treatment indicated to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy (abdominal lipohypertrophy).
CardioMetabolic Care & General Medicine  – Glucophage®, Concor®, Euthyrox®, Neurobion®
Merck Serono offers an extensive range of therapeutic options for the integrated management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. These include the Glucophage franchise of oral antidiabetics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the beta-blocker bisoprolol (Concor) and a range of thyroid hormones (Euthyrox).

Our general medicines franchise includes a diverse range of primary care products and local specialties including Neurobion, a multivitamin for the treatment and prevention of Vitamin B deficiency.

Our enduring commitment

We are committed to growing our business in specialist therapeutic areas where our knowledge and experience can make a real difference for patients. We will achieve this through our own research and development as well through partnerships, which are an integral part of our strategy.

A mid-sized biopharmaceutical company with global reach, we are big enough to make a difference in our focus therapeutic areas, yet agile enough to be able to move quickly and adapt to opportunities in key markets. As a division of Merck, we combine financial stability and long-term vision with a family-owned heart and a pioneering spirit.

At Merck Serono, we do not aim to be the biggest in the industry: our goal is to be the best in our areas of expertise.

Our Vision
We focus our expertise on one enduring commitment: to transform medical science into breakthrough solutions that make a difference in people’s lives.

We will create an innovative, successful pharmaceuticals business with global reach by leveraging our core strengths.

We want to build a company being recognized as "best pharma."

Our success will benefit patients and reward employees and owners.

Six core values, which we share as a division of the Merck group, guide our endeavours as we work to realize our vision:

Our Values

• Courage opens the door to the future
• Achievement makes our entrepreneurial success possible
• Responsibility determines our entrepreneurial actions
• Respect is foundation of any partnership
• Integrity ensures our credibility 
• Transparency makes mutual trust possible
  

Our unique history

Since we created Merck Serono in 2007, we’ve built a strong, successful business with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of medical science. Today, our bright future as a biopharmaceutical leader owes a great deal to our proud past.

Our story began when the German chemical and pharmaceutical group Merck acquired Serono, the Swiss-based biotechnology leader, integrating two companies with a total of over 400 years of experience in drug-making.

Merck KGaA has a history dating back to 1668, when Friedrich Jacob Merck acquired the Engel Apotheke (“Angel pharmacy”) in Darmstadt, Germany. Serono’s roots as a pioneer in the use of recombinant DNA technology go back to Italy in the early 1900’s.

Our Responsibility

At Merck Serono, we take our responsibility seriously. Responsibility determines our entrepreneurial actions and characterizes our behaviour towards customers, employees and other key stakeholders. It is one of the core values we share as a division of Merck.

Through our membership in the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest global corporate citizenship initiative, we embrace a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, anticorruption and the environment.

Underscoring this commitment, our reporting follows the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a global multi-stakeholder network which sets out a framework for sustainable development reporting.

 

This reflects another of our core values, that of transparency. Transparency makes mutual trust possible, through the involvement of all stakeholders through information.Responsibility is multifaceted for Merck Serono: 

Our Patients
Our responsibility begins with patients. The many unmet needs for breakthrough solutions are why we strive to discover and develop new therapies. Each year, Merck Serono dedicates over 20% of total revenues or around EUR 1 billion to research and develop new treatments in our therapeutic areas of focus.

Our first responsibility is to help patients with serious, life-altering conditions for which there is currently no cure. We work to develop new treatments for major diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease as well as orphan drugs for rare conditions and disorders.

Our Products
Our responsibility is fully engaged through our innovative drug products. We develop, manufacture and commercialize our pharmaceutical and biotech products according to the best practices of our industry.

• We adhere to quality standards for the clinical development of active ingredients according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for Good Clinical Practice (GCP). We are committed to ensuring that each patient is informed about the potential benefits as well as the possible risks of experimental therapy.
• The manufacture of our chemical and biopharmaceutical medicines is carried out at production sites around the world in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• We adhere to a strict code of ethics when promoting our products to prescribers and other healthcare professionals. Merck Serono adheres to the latest industry codes set by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) as well as local industry bodies. What’s more, we comply with the stringent “Merck Pharmaceutical Marketing Best Practices,” which set the standard within our group for good and responsible marketing practices in regards to pharmaceutical products

Our Environment

Our responsibility naturally extends to the environment. Across our production sites on four continents, manufacturing is carried out according to our “Principles and Strategies for Health, Safety and the Environment” that implement the guidelines formulated by the national and international associations of the chemical industry in the Responsible Care® guidelines and in strict adherence to regional and local standards. Merck Serono aims to minimize the environmental impact of our manufacturing activities through reduced energy and water consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, increased waste/recycling ratio (recycled waste/total waste).

All Merck Serono production sites now operate under ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental excellence.

Our Employees
Responsibility for employees works both ways: we expect our employees to act responsibly and, in return, we recognize that entrepreneurial success starts with people.

Employees are asked to adhere to the Merck Code of Conduct (“To do what is right”) that provides a clear framework for our relationships with various stakeholders and fosters integrity and compliance.

Merck Serono is committed to recruiting and retaining the best talents in the industry and we are recognized as a leading employer in the biotech and pharmaceutical sector. We strive to create an environment in which individuals can add value and participate in the growth and development of our company. As a responsible employer, we offer attractive rewards and benefits, career development and training opportunities.

At Merck Serono, we make health and safety of our employees in the workplace a priority. This commitment is reflected in a number of prevention and educational programs as well as in rigorous safety procedures.

Responsibility for employees also means creating an environment that fosters a healthy work-life balance. Merck Serono’s Geneva headquarters integrate the following services:

• “Crescendo” an on-site crèche for 80 children in partnership with the City of Geneva (2/3 for employees, 1/3 for local residents)
• “Energy Center”, an on-site fitness center
• Part-time social worker
• Personal services:  dry cleaning, massage, mini-shop, etc.

Our Community
Responsibility to the community is engaged both globally and locally.

• Globally:
  At global level, Merck Serono helps combat schistosomiasis in African schoolchildren by contributing to the Merck-Praziquantel Donation Program (MPDP), carried out in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2007. Over a ten-year period, Merck will provide free of charge 200 million tablets of Cesol® 600 (active ingredient praziquantel) with a value of approximately US$ 80 million. Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasite flat worms which especially affects children, is the second-most common tropical disease in Africa after malaria. It causes anemia, stunted growth and leads to learning disabilities. Every year, around 200,000 people die of this insidious disease.
  
  Merck Serono also helps developing countries fight against counterfeit drugs by supporting the GPHF-Minilab® program through the Global PharmaHealth Fund e.V.(GPHF) a charitable organization initiated and funded exclusively by donations from Merck. So far, over 300 units of the unique mobile mini laboratory for rapid and easy detection of counterfeit medicines have been supplied in 68 countries.
• Locally:
  Our sense of responsibility to the community can also be seen in the close relationships we foster through sponsorships and donations to charitable and research foundations in Switzerland and the Lake Geneva area: Alliance SEP, Swiss MS Society (multiple sclerosis), ELA (neurodegenerative diseases), Fondation Dubois Ferrière Dinu Lipatti , ESCA, Swiss Cancer League (oncology), etc.
  
  Merck Serono is also engaged in the public understanding of science and an active participant in local events such as the Nuit de la Science (“Night of Science”), a biennial event in Geneva encouraging the pursuit of scientific knowledge for all ages, as well as public debates on scientific and medical topics organized in partnership with the University of Geneva. We frequently open our doors to local authorities and interest groups with events and thematic visits of our headquarters.

Our group: Merck

Merck – innovative, specialized, international

Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with four strong divisions:  Merck Serono, Consumer Health Care, Merck Millipore and Performance Materials. With over 40,000 employees in 67 countries, Merck’s success is based on a clear focus on research and development as well as profitable, high-margin specialties. In 2011, Merck’s total revenues increased by 11%, exceeding the EUR 10 billion mark for the first time in the group’s history.

The operational business is managed under the umbrella of Merck KGaA headquartered in Darmstadt (Germany). Around 30% of the company’s total capital is publicly traded, while the Merck family owns an interest of about 70% via the general partner E. Merck KG.

 

Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company

Our historical roots lie in Darmstadt, where Friedrich Jacob Merck acquired the Engel-Apotheke (“Angel Pharmacy”) in 1668. In 1827, Heinrich Emanuel Merck began the industrial-scale production of alkaloids, plant extracts and other chemicals. The successful export business in the United States led in 1887 to the establishment of a subsidiary in New York. Under Georg Merck, a grandson of Heinrich Emanuel Merck, Merck & Co. was formed in 1891. Following the confiscation of properties that took place as a result of World War I, Merck & Co. became an independent American company. The two companies are no longer linked to one another today – the only thing they still have in common is the name Merck. Merck & Co. holds the rights to the name within North America; outside this region the U.S. company operates as Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) or MSD Sharp & Dohme. Merck KGaA, in turn, holds the rights elsewhere in the world and operates in North America under the umbrella brand EMD, formed from the initials of Emanuel Merck, Darmstadt.