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Professor Mauricio Montal appointed as 17th Friedrich Merz visiting professor - Top-class symposium in Frankfurt

Frankfurt, 21.11.2006

Professor Mauricio Montal of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has been appointed visiting professor of this year's Friedrich Merz Foundation Professorship for pharmaceuticals and human medicine at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. In honor of this event, the faculty of pharmaceutical biology, in collaboration with Merz, is hosting the symposium "Botulinum Neurotoxins - from molecular insights to clinical applications" on November 22nd, 2006.

Numerous renowned experts from Europe and overseas will be lecturing at the one-day symposium in the German National Library, presenting the latest standings of their research along with Professor Montal.

Above and beyond his presentation, Professor Montal will be meeting with Merz scientists to discuss research projects and will be speaking with university professors and researchers during his stay in Frankfurt. Students at the University of Frankfurt will also have the opportunity to visit lectures given by the Foundation's visiting professor.

"We are pleased to be able to appoint Professor Montal to the position of the17th annual Friedrich Merz Foundation Visiting Professorship," says Dr. Martin Zügel, CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH. "Professor Montal is an outstanding scientist in one of our most important fields of research. We have established the visiting professorship in order to promote the exchange of information and collaboration between academic and industrial research scientists."

Professor Montal researches and teaches in the field of neurobiology. A main focal point of his research has been Botulinum Neurotoxins. These highly effective toxins have been used for several years to treat spasticity and dystonia, both neurologically-caused cramping of the muscle. According to the German Society for Dystonia (Deutsche Dystonie Gesellschaft, or DDG), approximately 160,000 suffer from dystonia in Germany alone; well over 300,000 are estimated to be affected in the U.S. The Botulinum Toxin therapy has proven itself for many patients to be the only effective treatment available. Botulinum Neurotoxins deactivate a certain protein contained in nerve cells, which is responsible for releasing the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. By cutting off the release of Acetylcholine, the nerve impulse of the muscle contraction can no longer be transferred, leading to a paralysis of the affected muscle.

Merz is also responsible for research and development in the field of therapeutic Botulinum Neurotoxins: In 2005, the company received authorization of its drug Xeomin® for use in Germany.

The Friedrich Merz Foundation Visiting Professorship

The Friedrich Merz Visiting Professorship was founded by the current owners in December 1985 in honor of the 100th birthday of Friedrich Merz. Its mission is to appoint an especially well-reputed scientist from the field of pharmaceuticals or human medicine to the University of Frankfurt each year. The Foundation's Visiting Professorship was named after the founder of Merz, Friedrich Merz, who, as one of the first members of the Senckenbergische Gesellschaft, had close ties to the University of Frankfurt and was a promoter of science.

About Merz

Merz focuses on pharmaceutical products for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders and has a leading position in a current research of Alzheimer's. With Memantine, Merz has developed the world's first product for treating moderate to severe stages of Alzheimers. Memantine is worldwide the second largest product in treating Alzheimers. Merz also specialises in clinical and cosmetic dermatology.In addition to the pharmaceutical market, Merz is active in the consumer health sector. With its registered trademarks tetesept® and Merz Spezial®, it is a leading supplier in German speaking countries of self medication, food supplement, beauty and wellness products. A Merz subsidiary, Senator GmbH & Co. KGaA, is a leading international manufacturer of writing instruments.
The Merz Group employs 1,900 staff worldwide.

Further information about dystonia can be found on our informational service pages: www.dystonieinfo.de

Download:

Biographical Sketch Mauricio Montal
Mauricio Montal (300dpi)

For more information, contact:

Susanne Heiß
Corporate Communications
Merz GmbH & Co. KGaA
Eckenheimer Landstraße 100
60318 Frankfurt
Tel.: 069 / 15 03 - 411
Fax: 069 / 15 03 - 581
E-Mail: susanne.heiss@merz.de

Your contact person for academic questions:

Dr. Swen Grein
Preclinical R & D
Biotechnology
Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH
Altenhoeferallee 3
60438 Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: 069 / 1503 - 791
E-Mail: swen.grein@merz.de

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