Merck Serono provides funding for Grant for Fertility Innovation scheme

Merck Serono has outlined the strong financial support it will be providing for the Grant for Fertility Innovation (GFI) fund for 2014/15.

Launched in 2009, the GFI provides funding to scientists worldwide to help transform innovative fertility research projects into concrete health solutions to improve the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.

This year, Merck Serono will offer up to two million euros (1.59 million pounds) to add to the overall funding pot, which will be distributed between nine selected projects from eight countries this year.

Researchers from Japan, Spain, Italy, Turkey, the US, Canada, Brazil and Australia will be among the recipients of GFI funding.

Dr Steven Hildemann, global chief medical officer and head of global medical and safety at Merck Serono, said: "The Grant for Fertility Innovation is reflective of our broad, ongoing commitment to advancing scientific knowledge that can be translated into meaningful solutions for patients in need."

This comes after the firm announced a new collaboration with Mersana Therapeutics last month, which will focus on the development of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates.