Merck Serono begins validation study for phenylketonuria questionnaire

Merck Serono has commenced a validation study for a new questionnaire designed to help evaluate the impact of phenylketonuria on patients' lives.

The first subject has been enrolled for the study, which will be conducted in seven countries and will see 550 patients validate four age-specific versions of the questionnaire, alongside a group of caregivers and parents.

A 2013 launch has been planned for the new questionnaire, a tool for the medical community to assess how the symptoms and treatment for the rare metabolic disease affect patients and their family members.

This is the final phase of development of the survey, which will help to investigate quality of life issues associated with the disease in a way that has not been possible before.

Dr Annalisa Jenkins, head of global drug development and medical at Merck Serono, said: "We believe that this questionnaire will further contribute to the understanding of the disease and how treatment options might potentially translate into measurable patient-centric benefits."

Last month, the company announced plans to increase its donations to efforts to combat the tropical disease schistosomiasis in Africa.