EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany,
today announced the opening of a state-of-the-art research center in Billerica, MA,
establishing it as a “hub” within the Merck KGaA research organization.
Representing a $65 million investment, the Billerica research facility supports the
company’s commitment to developing and discovering innovative treatments in
oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and infertility. Nearly 100 new jobs will
be added in Massachusetts
as a result of the building expansion.

“This research expansion represents EMD Serono’s clear
purpose of scientific and medical innovation, and solidifies the company’s presence
in Massachusetts as a leading, global organization in the life sciences
industry,” said Fereydoun Firouz, President and CEO of EMD Serono, Inc.
“We are focused on retaining and attracting the best scientists to develop
therapies that provide value and breakthrough solutions to people living with
serious medical conditions such as fertility disorders, cancer and
neurodegenerative diseases.” The new site’s proximity to Boston reinforces EMD Serono’s existing networks
and scientific collaborations, which include academic institutions, research
organizations, hospitals and healthcare institutions. In addition, this
research expansion is a strong indication of EMD Serono’s commitment to
supporting economic growth in Massachusetts.

“The Massachusetts
economy is an innovation economy, and EMD Serono’s new facility is one of the
best examples of how that innovation translates into jobs and scientific
advancement,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “This new facility will
enhance Massachusetts’
position of global leadership in the life sciences, and the research that goes
on here will lead to improvements in human health. This is just the sort of
growth that we envisioned when we proposed the Life Sciences Initiative back in
2007 and I am confident there will be many more announcements like this to
come.” “EMD Serono is developing treatments for some of the toughest
medical challenges that we face, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic
disorders and infertility. This new facility reflects the tremendous success
that the company is having with its pipeline of innovative new drugs and
therapies,” said Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences
Center. “I congratulate
EMD Serono on this important milestone and thank them for their commitment to
growing in Massachusetts.”
The new site will accommodate approximately 200 scientists with expertise in
cancer biology, cancer immunotherapy, oncogene signaling, medicinal chemistry,
molecular modeling, protein engineering, therapeutic antibodies and
manufacturing cell lines across the core therapeutic areas of neurodegenerative
diseases, cancer and infertility.

“The research institute in Billerica will bring together EMD Serono scientists,
researchers and stakeholders in our research network which allows for greater
synergy, collaboration and development of innovative science,” said Dr.
Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Merck
Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany.
“In addition, the establishment of EMD Serono’s research facility center
of excellence in Massachusetts
provides an opportunity to tap into world-renowned academic and research
institutions that are located in close proximity to our new facility in order
to further collaborate with a common objective to drive science forward.” The
Billerica facility is one of four Research &
Development hubs within Merck Serono; other R&D centers are located in Germany, Switzerland
and China.
These state-of-the-art facilities foster enhanced collaboration and synergies
to discover and develop innovative therapies. The research facility located in Billerica is focused on
the therapeutic areas of infertility, oncology and neurodegenerative diseases.
The R&D site in Germany
is focused on the therapeutic areas of rheumatology and oncology, and the
location in Switzerland
is focused on neurodegenerative diseases and rheumatology.

The 140,000 square foot (sf) Billerica facility accommodates over 115,000
sf of lab and office space, consisting of: 25,000 sf of chemistry and screening
labs; 25,000 sf biology and cell culture labs; 22,000 sf of general lab support
space; 20,000 sf of office and conference rooms and 23,000 sf of mechanical
space.