Merck Serono Awards Grant for Growth - Countdown for Accepting Applications

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Merck Serono

04 Dec, 2014, 07:30 GMT

DARMSTADT, Germany, December 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

  • Merck Serono's Grant for Growth Innovations (GGI) supports innovative projects to advance understanding in the field of growth 
  • Closing date for entries is January 6, 2015 
  • Awardees will be announced at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting in Barcelona, October 2015 

Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, reminded today that there is just one month remaining for scientists leading innovative research projects to apply for grants as part of the Merck Serono Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI). Grants totalling up to €400,000 will be awarded to one or more selected projects.

Merck Serono is supporting innovative projects that have the potential to advance the understanding of science and medical research in the field of growth. In 2014, the company announced the first recipients of the GGI at the 53rd European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) meeting. The winners were from Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Steven Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical and Safety at Merck Serono said: "Merck Serono has a longstanding and ongoing commitment to advancing the treatment of growth hormone deficiency. The Grant for Growth Innovation demonstrates our support for novel scientific proposals by researchers seeking to accelerate understanding of growth disorders, improve adherence and deliver better outcomes for patients."

Applications will close on January 6, 2015. For the first application, submissions must contain a letter of intent and a brief description of the research project. The applications will be evaluated by an independent Scientific Steering Committee of internationally renowned endocrinologists according to five criteria:

  • Innovation
  • Scientific rationale
  • Clarity
  • Feasibility
  • Impact of research

Successful applicants will then have the opportunity to develop the full protocol for a second round of consideration. The winners will be announced in 2015 at the 54th European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting in Barcelona, which will be held October 1 to 3, 2015.

More information is available at http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.com.

About the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI) 

Merck Serono announced the initiation of the GGI program in 2013 to support the advancement of understanding of the field of growth. A total grant of up to €400,000 will be awarded to one or more selected projects. Each application is blinded and evaluated by a Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned endocrinologists, according to five criteria: innovation; scientific rationale; clarity; feasibility; and impact of research.

For further information about the GGI and how to apply for next year's grants, please visit http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org

About Merck Serono 

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com.

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Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life science sectors. With its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck generated total revenues of €11.1 billion in 2013. Around 39,000 Merck 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. Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - since 1668, the company 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. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany is holding the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company is known as EMD.