GENEVA, Switzerland, January 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
    - easypod(R) Was Designed to Improve Ease of Usage, Reliability and
Convenience
    Merck Serono (virt-x: SERO and NYSE: SRA) announced today the launch of
a unique growth hormone injection device, easypod(R), for the once-daily
administration of Saizen(R) (somatropin), the company's recombinant growth
hormone deficiency therapy. easypod(R) is the first of its kind in this
therapeutic area and was designed to improve patients' ease of daily use,
reliability and convenience. It has been developed in conjunction with
patients and healthcare professionals and as a result has been specifically
designed to meet their needs and simplify patients' daily treatment.
    Dr Jovanna Dahlgren, Assistant Professor, Queen Silvia's Children's
Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, said: "We are extremely encouraged by the
response to easypod(R) from our young patients and their parents, as well
as from nurses and physicians. It has been extremely well received,
bringing additional benefits to the often sensitive task of administering
daily therapy to children and young adults and supporting their adherence
to that therapy. Above all, this device is easy to use and reliable."
    Hans Christian Rohde, current Head of Global Therapeutic Area,
Endocrinology, Merck Serono, commented: "This breakthrough technology
reaffirms our commitment to innovation in metabolic diseases, especially in
growth hormone deficiencies where compliance is a major limitation to
treatment success. This is a significant advance in our patient drug device
portfolio in this therapeutic area that will support our efforts to improve
patient treatment and will distinguish us from existing injection devices."
    easypod(R) is used in three simple key steps and delivers one daily
injection subcutaneously to children and adults, designed to minimize
discomfort and pain. The device enables healthcare professionals to pre-set
dosing levels, reducing the possibility of dose miscalculation. No daily
dose adjustment is required by the patient, and the injected dose is
confirmed after delivery, giving the patients and their carers confidence
in administration. The device also records the number of doses
administered, allowing a physician to monitor patient compliance to
therapy.
    easypod(R) has been approved in Europe and is already available in
Sweden, Norway, Finland, Canada, Australia, Italy and Germany, where it has
been met with an extremely positive response from patients and healthcare
professionals alike. January 2007 onwards will see the roll out of the
device in other regions around the world.
    About Growth Hormone Deficiency
    Growth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland in the brain
is unable to release or produce sufficient amounts of growth hormone. The
problem can be congenital (malfunction of the pituitary gland and
hypothalamus), idiopathic (unknown cause) or traumatic accidents or
tumours.
    In children, growth hormone deficiency causes slow growth and, without
treatment, many will end with short stature as an adult. Growth hormone
deficiency can also develop in adults as a result of tumours or surgery
around the pituitary gland area. Growth hormone deficiencies in adults are
a significant problem with a number of physiological consequences: changes
in body composition (including central obesity), effects on lipids in the
blood, changes in muscle strength and bone composition, increase in
cardiovascular risk and psychological well-being (social isolation and
depression).
    Merck Serono Easy to Use Devices
    Growth retardation affects children and requires chronic, long-term
treatment with daily injections of recombinant growth hormone. Merck Serono
is the only company to offer innovative needle and needle-free options to
children and adults with growth hormone deficiency to help simplify
treatment administration and encourage compliance.
    About Saizen(R)
    Saizen(R) (somatropin) is a recombinant human growth hormone and is
therapeutically equivalent to the natural growth hormone produced by the
body. It is indicated for treating growth hormone deficiency in children
and adults, as well as for treating Small for Gestational Age, Turner's
Syndrome and Chronic Renal Failure outside the US.
    About easypod(R)
    easypod(R) is an easy to use device that administers a subcutaneous
injection in three simple key steps - attach needle, inject dose, detach
needle. As the dose is pre-set for each patient by the physician or
healthcare professional, the risk of miscalculating the dose is reduced and
no daily dose adjustment is needed. Patients' confidence is improved thanks
to an immediate confirmation of the injected dose and the permanent display
of the number of injections left in the cartridge. It also tracks the
number of doses administered allowing physicians to monitor patient
adherence to therapy. easypod(R) is CE marked by Serono Europe Ltd, an
affiliate of Merck Serono S.A.
    Forward-looking statements
    Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such
statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or
achievements of Merck Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different
from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on Merck Serono's current expectations
and assumptions, which may be affected by a number of factors, including
those discussed in this press release and more fully described in Serono's
Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 28, 2006. These factors include any failure or delay
in Merck Serono's ability to develop new products, any failure to receive
anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing current
products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to obtain
reimbursement coverage for our products, the outcome of any government
investigations and litigation. Merck Serono is providing this information
as of the date of this press release, and has no responsibility to update
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
    About Merck Serono
    Merck Serono is a global biotechnology leader, with sales in over 90
countries. The Company is the world leader in reproductive health, with
Gonal-f(R), Luveris(R) and Ovidrel(R)/Ovitrelle(R). It has strong market
positions in neurology, with Rebif(R), as well as in metabolism and growth,
with Saizen(R), Serostim(R) and Zorbtive(TM). The Company has recently
entered the psoriasis area with Raptiva(R). Merck Serono's research
programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new
therapeutic areas, including oncology and autoimmune diseases.
    Bearer shares of Merck Serono S.A., the holding company, are traded on
the virt-x (SERO) and its American Depositary Shares are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange (SRA).
    http://www.merckserono.net
    About Merck
    Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of EUR
6.3 billion in 2006, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by
about 35,000 employees (including Merck Serono) in 56 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 a 73% interest and free shareholders own the
remaining 27%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and
has been an independent company ever since.

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