New Merck Technology Aims to Further Optimize Embryo Incubation and Assessment

PR67753

DARMSTADT, Germany, Mar. 12 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

   Merck integrates innovative Eeva(R) Test with Geri(TM) incubation platform,

bringing individualized incubation and outcome prediction together  

Geri(TM)humidity technology aims to further advance incubation to precisely

monitor and manage the humidity level in the incubator Merck, a leading science

and technology company, today announced the release of two advanced Fertility

Technologies products for improved efficiency in the assisted reproductive

treatment (ART) lab, Eeva(R) Test 3.0 and Geri(TM) humidified incubation. These

first-in-class technologies will provide embryologists with in-depth

information and control over the environment in which the embryo grows to

support healthy embryo development and assessment.

   "We believe Merck fertility technologies can accelerate clinics toward a new

standard for ART success," said Rehan Verjee, Chief Marketing and Strategy

Officer of biopharma business at Merck. "Since 2014 we've launched 28 products

in five product groups, providing new, state-of-the-art solutions that advance

fertility care."

   The Eeva(R) Test 3.0 software supports embryo assessment within the ART lab,

using the established Xtend Algorithm. ART labs can now use this algorithm with

the Genea Biomedx-developed Geri(TM)+ incubator, integrating

bright-and-dark-field imaging together with Merck's proprietary software suite,

Geri(TM) Connect, Geri(TM) Assess. The combination of the Eeva(R) Test 3.0 with

the Geri(TM) incubator enables, for the first time, the application of the

clinically proven assessment algorithm of the Eeva(R) Test to support outcome

prediction with individualized incubation.

   Geri(TM), ideated and created by Australian fertility technologies company

Genea Biomedx, has a broad range of additional modular features available that

can be selected by clinics to optimize culture conditions based on their needs.

Continually evolving, this unique offering now includes a specially designed

humidifier in addition to established features like Geri(TM) Connect, Geri(TM)

Assess or Geri(TM)+. The specially designed humidifier allows ART specialists

to precisely monitor and manage the humidity level in the incubator. Geri(TM)

is able to both monitor progress of embryo development through a real-time

camera and provide humidified incubation in individual chambers, thus providing

embryologists with more control to nurture embryo incubation and development.

   Merck's ability to launch numerous technologies in the last two years is a

result of the company's strategy to combine market-leading drug treatments for

patients with breakthrough technologies tailored to the specific needs of the

ART lab. Combining the Eeva(R) Test and the Geri(TM) platform demonstrates

Merck's commitment to facilitating the connectivity between products, such as

the integration of these technologies, to leverage the data generated, thus

creating more informed decision making within the ART lab.

   About Geri[TM]

   Geri(TM) is a benchtop incubator with individually controlled incubation

chambers per patient to minimize disruptive events to the early-stage embryo.

It also incorporates a camera to real time monitor the developing embryos.

Integrating bright- and dark-field imaging, the Geri[TM]+ incubator allows for

combination with the Eeva(R) Test software. The Geri(TM) Connect software

allows the monitoring of embryos in real time through remote access to patient

and embryo data connected on the same network, while the Geri(TM) Assess

software is a user-defined scoring software used to assess and grade embryos on

their viability. As additional modular feature the portfolio includes a

specially designed humidifier, which allows ART specialists to precisely

monitor and manage the humidity level in the incubator.

   Geri(TM) was developed by Genea Biomedx, a company that creates and

manufactures practical, accessible and precise fertility technologies that help

standardize and automate fertility treatment.

   About the Eeva(R) Test

   The non-invasive Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva(R)) Test when used

adjunctively with traditional morphology may improve IVF outcomes by providing

IVF clinicians and patients with objective information on embryo viability. The

Eeva(R) Test utilizes proprietary software that automatically analyzes embryo

development against scientifically and clinically validated parameters. Its key

features include a multi-dimensional model for assessing and predicting the

development of embryos based on five key parameters including egg age, cell

stage durations of P2 and P3, post P3 analysis, and cell count. With the

Eeva(R) Test's quantitative data on each embryo's potential development, IVF

clinicians can improve the treatment path for their patients undergoing IVF

procedures.

   Progyny Inc. granted Merck global marketing and commercialization rights for

the Progyny Eeva(R) Test software offering, aiming to provide customers

worldwide with innovative fertility technology solution. This new collaboration

builds on the successful relationship between both leaders in fertility

technologies, first established in 2010.

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   About Merck

   Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life

science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further

develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical

therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for

scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD

televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of EUR 15.0 billion in 66 countries.

   Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical

company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed

corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck

name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the

company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

   Contact: Dr. Raphaela Farrenkopf    

           +49-6151-72-2274

  (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472778/Merck_Logo.jpg )

  (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/477184/Merck_Eeva_Test_3_0.jpg )

   SOURCE: Merck