Merck Serono contributes to organic growth for Merck KGaA

Merck Serono experienced year-on-year organic growth during the second quarter of 2013 in the midst of a challenging business climate.

The firm's parent company Merck KGaA has published its latest financial results, revealing that Merck Serono achieved a revenue total of 1.62 billion euros (1.4 billion pounds) during the three-month period.

This was up by 1.5 percent on an organic basis thanks to strong sales of the multiple sclerosis therapy Rebif, though the pharmaceutical company's overall performance was impacted by unfavourable currency trends.

Merck Serono's performance helped the Merck KGaA group generate a revenue total of 2.84 billion euros for the quarter.

Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the executive board of Merck KGaA, said: "Merck's solid business performance continued into the second quarter of 2013, with total revenues increasing organically by three percent even in a more difficult market environment."

Earlier this month, it was announced that Merck Serono will be allying with the UK's Cancer Research Technology and the Institute of Cancer Research to study new oncology therapies.