At EUR 1,167 million, research and development spending was slightly lower (–1.4%) than in 2009. This decline is due on the one hand to the project delays experienced with Stimuvax® and cladribine tablets, and on the other hand to our successful efforts to optimize cost structures through efficiency enhancement measures. We invested around 20% of the total revenues of the Merck Serono division in R&D, which puts us at an above-average level within the pharmaceutical industry. This is mainly the result of the large number of cost-intensive studies in the final phase of clinical development. The pipeline currently comprises nine projects in Phase III clinical trials, seven in Phase II, and six in Phase I.
Our activities are focused on three areas: oncology, where we are seeking new therapeutic options for colorectal cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, brain tumors, breast cancer and gastric cancer; neurodegenerative diseases, where we are working on new therapies for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease; as well as rheumatology, which includes the autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus and osteoarthritis. We also continue to conduct research in the field of fertility. As of December 31, 2010, the division had around 3,000 employees working in research and development.
Our most important research centers are Darmstadt, Geneva and Boston. Additionally, we are expanding the Beijing site in order to cover Asia, to facilitate regional clinical trials, and to form local alliances. We plan to invest EUR 150 million and create more than 200 qualified positions here by 2013. The expansion work was completed as planned at the Billerica site, where we invested USD 65 million.