Total revenues of the Merck Group rose in fiscal 2007 by 58% to €7,057 million. The sharp increase is due to the inclusion of Serono: Merck acquired the Swiss biopharmaceutical company at the beginning of the year.

The Generics division, which was divested in October 2007, is presented separately as a Discontinued Operation. Its revenues for 2006 and 2007 have already been reported separately.

With the acquisition of the Serono Group, the importance of royalty income increased: As of 2007, royalty income is disclosed together with sales under total revenues. (For more information, see Consolidated Financial Statements). The effect of currencies on growth was –3.6%, whereas that of acquisitions was 51%. Adjusted for the impact of currency and acquisitions, organic growth amounted to 11%.