Merck Awards 1.25 Million Euros to Research Projects Through its 2017 Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI)

PR69200

DARMSTADT, Germany, July 5, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    - Two projects are awarded funds to advance the fertility field

    - Professor Lunenfeld honored with Merck Lifetime Achievement Award

    - The company is committed to driving innovation through evolving the

product portfolio and investing in potential breakthrough research

    Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced its

commitment to award EUR1.25 million to research projects in the field of

fertility, supporting the advancement of medical science through the Grant for

Fertility Innovation (GFI) in 2017. Launched as the first of the Merck Grants

for Innovation in 2009, Merck's GFI is providing encouragement for innovation

and support for scientists to realize projects that could potentially lead to

the next breakthrough in the fertility treatment area. This year, the GFI Award

Ceremony included the announcement of the Merck Lifetime Achievement Award in

Fertility Innovation.

Photo:  http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530473/Merck_GFI_ceremony.jpg

Photo:  http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530474/Merck_2017_GFI_ceremony.jpg

    To recognize Merck's belief in progress through innovation, the GFI

awardees were revealed in a ceremony at the European Society of Human

Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) , currently taking place in Geneva,

Switzerland. The winning projects truly reflect the global nature of the

program, ranging from research in Italy to Brazil.

    Professor Bruno Lunenfeld, a speaker at the GFI 2017 ceremony, was honored

with the Merck Lifetime Achievement Award for his revolutionary work within the

fertility field since 1954. At the ceremony he provided an overview on the

discovery of human gonadotropins from postmenopausal urine.

    "Professor Lunenfeld's pioneering achievements in the field of fertility

are a huge inspiration to us at Merck. It is highly motivating to consider the

breadth of his contributions. For more than 60 years now, his expertise and

experience have greatly contributed to our efforts to improve the quality of

patient care," said Belen Garijo, member of the Executive Board of Merck and

CEO Healthcare, when presenting Professor Lunenfeld with the Merck Lifetime

Achievement Award.

    The research investments through the GFI is core to the innovation strategy

of the biopharma business of Merck, and in the quest for increased success

rates within fertility treatment. In this year's GFI, two winning projects were

selected from 46 global proposals with the common goal of advancing the

fertility field. The GFI was launched in 2009, and is dedicated to transforming

innovative translational fertility research projects into actual solutions with

the aim to improve fertility treatment outcomes. Merck proudly announced the

2017 GFI awardees during the ceremony:

    - Endometrial Notch pathway as a novel target for improving implantation

efficiency; Luisa Campagnolo, PhD

    - Pharmacogenetic algorithm for individualized controlled ovarian

stimulation (iCOS) in assisted reproductive technology cycles; Caio Parente

Barbosa, MD, PhD, MS and Matheus Roque, MD

    About the Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI)

    Merck announced the initiation of the GFI program in 2009 to support the

advancement of science and innovative technologies in the fertility field. This

grant is awarded every year to translational research projects that can

potentially improve baby birth rate for the benefit of the patients. Each

project is blinded and evaluated by a jury of experts according to five

criteria: support to increase baby birth rate; innovative research; scientific

rationale; feasibility and practical utility.

    For further information about the GFI and how to apply for next year's

grants, please visit: http://www.grantforfertilityinnovation.com

    All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they

become available on the Merck Website. Please go to

http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection

or discontinue this service.

    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. The company 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://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/406891LOGO )

    Source: Merck