Merck Serono is also committed to improving the lives of people with a range of endocrine and metabolic disorders. The division’s Endocrinology business unit offers a unique portfolio of specialized therapies along with innovative drug delivery devices. Merck Serono markets recombinant human growth hormone (somatotropin) under the brand name Saizen® for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, as well as in children born small for gestational age (SGA), with Turner syndrome or chronic renal failure. In the United States, Serostim® (somatropin) is used to treat patients suffering from HIV-associated wasting, which is estimated to affect up to 8% of HIV-infected individuals.
Sales in the Endocrinology business unit declined slightly by 2.9% to €218 million as compared with the previous year’s figures of the former Serono. In the United States, where around one-half of sales were generated, the weakness of the U.S. dollar had a negative impact. Sales of Saizen® decreased by 2.1% to €163 million. Adjusted for currency effects, however, they increased by 2.0%. Sales of Serostim® declined by 4.6% to €55 million. Excluding currency effects, they rose by 4.4%.
Easypod™ meets with high acceptance
In early 2007, Merck Serono launched Easypod™an innovative electronic growth hormone injection device. Easypod™ was developed in conjunction with patients and healthcare professionals for once-daily administration of Saizen®. It is the first delivery device of its kind in this therapeutic area and is noted for its improved reliability and convenience. Easypod™ was first launched in Europe, Australia and Latin America, where it has met with high levels of acceptance. In June, Easypod™ won a gold medal in the Medical Design Excellence Awards competition. Easypod™ was also approved by the FDA in October and was launched in the United States in December.
First drug to treat hyperphenylalaninemia
In November 2007, Merck Serono submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for the marketing authorization of sapropterin (formerly known as Phenoptin™) for the oral treatment of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to phenylketonuria or tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency. Currently, no drug is approved in Europe to treat these congenital errors in the metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine. In December 2007, Merck Serono’s partner in the development of sapropterin, BioMarin, received FDA approval of sapropterin for use in the United States. The product is to be marketed there under the brand name Kuvan™.
