The Merck Serono division is a global leader with its portfolio of drugs to treat infertility. We are the only company that offers physicians and patients recombinant versions of the three main reproductive hormones that are important for the treatment of infertility. In 2009, sales by the Fertility therapeutic area increased by 9.0% to € 616 million, whereas the volume of all gonadotropins sold worldwide grew by only around 3%. Europe remained our most important market. In 2009, we generated half of our sales, which were slightly higher than in 2008, in this region. In our three other regions, sales developed well, particularly in Asia, Africa, Australasia, which posted an increase of 27%.
Stable growth of Gonal-f®
Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is a recombinant form of natural follicle-stimulating hormone. It is approved in 100 countries and is the world’s leading female fertility drug. The improved version of the Gonal-f® pen, our injection device which we introduced in 2007, has meanwhile been approved in more than 70 countries. Sales of Gonal-f® grew by 5.8% to € 486 million, primarily as a result of strong growth in Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, and Latin America. In Japan, sales increased by more than 50%. Previously, Gonal-f® had been approved in this market only to treat male infertility. In July, we additionally received approval for the treatment of infertile women with irregular or absent ovulation. In the United States, sales of Gonal-f® grew 8.9% in an otherwise stagnating market. In Europe, where we generated nearly one-half of Gonal-f® sales, we sustained a 5.1% decline in sales. Business in Spain was adversely affected by the economic crisis since private payers dominate the market, which is strongly influenced by economic fluctuations. Gonal-f® sales in Turkey also suffered considerably owing to a change in the reimbursement policy of health care payers. By contrast, sales in the United Kingdom rose significantly thanks to increased cost coverage by medical insurance companies and an adaptation of the market strategy.
Our recombinant combination treatment Pergoveris™ is used to stimulate follicular development in infertile women with severe follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone deficiency. Available in Europe since 2007, it is the first drug to allow the simultaneous administration of the two key hormones for ovarian stimulation in a single subcutaneous injection. Compared with 2008, sales more than doubled, increasing to € 29 million.
Ovidrel®/Ovitrelle® is a recombinant version of the naturally occurring hormone hCG and is used for triggering follicle maturation and ovulation. Sales of this product increased by 9.5% to € 37 million, mainly as a result of good growth in Europe and North America.
Advanced training and education for fertility treatment specialists
In July, Merck Serono launched the “Global Fertility Academy” to enhance clinical standards and maximize treatment success. This educational program was developed specifically for physicians specializing in infertility treatment and consists of a web-based learning platform and a practical training module. With the “Grant for Fertility Innovation”, which we launched in June, we want to promote initiatives in translational research aimed at increased pregnancy rates in assisted reproductive techniques.
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