Merck Serono sees strong growth in Q2 2012

Merck Serono has experienced another strong quarter of business growth during Q2 2012, according to parent company Merck KGaA.

Data from the group's latest financial report shows that Merck Serono generated sales of 1.55 billion euros (1.21 billion pounds), up by 11 percent year over year, thanks to growing demand for products such as Rebif and Erbitux.

Organic sales growth was measured at 6.6 percent, while a 4.2 percent benefit was seen thanks to favourable foreign exchange rate movements, such as the strengthening US dollar.

This came during a period when the firm's consumer health division also saw a year-on-year improvement, helping the Merck KGaA group as a whole to achieve total revenues of 2.85 billion euros.

Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the executive board of Merck KGaA, said: "Merck Serono performed particularly well, sustaining strong growth trends for a fifth consecutive quarter in emerging markets and in its fertility and endocrinology businesses."

Last month, Merck Serono announced the launch of Prexton Therapeutics, a new spin-off company focused on the development of Parkinson's disease therapies.