Merck Serono increases contributions to fertility innovation fund

Merck Serono has increased its contributions to its Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI) programme fund to four million euros (3.21 million pounds).

The company has committed to expanding its support for the fund in 2012/13 in order to provide greater assistance to academic centres that are conducting research into assisted reproductive technologies.

Since the launch of the scheme in 2009, Merck Serono has received around 400 applications from researchers based in more than 40 countries.

The aim of the initiative is to provide scientists with the funds to transform their innovative translational fertility research projects into concrete health solutions.

Dr Annalisa Jenkins, executive vice-president of global development and medical at Merck Serono, said: "We firmly believe that scientific collaboration that brings together researchers from across the academic and industry continuum will be the leading driver for the next wave of research and medical innovation."

Earlier this month, it was announced that Merck Serono will be participating in a private-public partnership to combat the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, in association with Astellas, TI Pharma and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.