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Professor Josef Rauschecker appointed as 18th annual Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship / Prestigious Symposium in Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main, 26.02.2008

Professor Josef Rauschecker of Georgetown University, Washington D.C., was named this year's Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship for pharmaceuticals and human medicine at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. In honor of the event, the Zentrum der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde (Center for Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine) at the University Clinic is hosting the symposium "Tinnitus - Auditory and Nonauditory Factors" in collaboration with Merz on February 26, 2008.

Together with Professor Rauschecker, renowned experts from overseas and throughout Europe will be lecturing at the one-day symposium in the German National Library and will be presenting the latest standings of their tinnitus-related research.
Above and beyond his presentation, Professor Rauschecker 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 Rauschecker as the 18^th annual Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship," explains Dr. Martin Zügel, CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH. "Professor Rauschecker is an outstanding scientist in the field of brain research. His work is an important contribution to the study of the tinnitus."

Josef Rauschecker is a professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His primary focus of research is the functional organization and plasticity of the cerebral cortex, in other words its ability to constantly change and to be formed. The goal of his work is to acquire a better understanding of the brain's functioning, especially when processing music, language, and memories. Studies on the neural basis of complex auditory processing should primarily lead to a deeper understanding of problems like tinnitus, or of linguistic disorders such as dyslexia or aphasia – leading to more intelligent and effective solutions for hearing aids and neural prostheses. Studies on plasticity are additionally of interest for a better understanding of degenerative diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease. Rauschecker was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Prize in 2002, which enabled intensive research in both the areas of Alzheimer's disease and tinnitus in cooperation with German universities as well.

About Tinnitus

The so-called "ringing of the ears" is a widespread phenomenon in industrialized countries. Tinnitus patients perceive noises that do not originate from an external source. Approximately 4 to 8% of the German population chronically suffers from it; the number of patients worldwide is estimated at an approximate 440 million. Tinnitus can lead to severe disturbances in sleep as well as a decline in the ability to concentrate or work. No pharmaceutical product is currently approved in either Europe or America for the treatment of the tinnitus indication. A clinical Phase-II study demonstrated promising therapeutic effects of Merz' developmental substance, Neramexane, in its use with tinnitus. Merz is currently preparing a clinical Phase-III program with the goal of registering Neramexane as the first medication available for the treatment of tinnitus patients.

The Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship

The Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship was founded in December 1985 in honor of the 100^th birthday of Friedrich Merz. Its mission is to appoint an especially well-reputed scientist from the field of pharmaceuticals or human medicine to the Universtiy of Frankfurt each year. The Foundation's Visiting Professorship is named after the founder of Merz Pharma, Friedrich Merz, who, as one of the first members of the Senckenbergische Gesellschaft, had close ties with the University of Frankfurt and was a patron of science. The Guest Professorship and the symposium offer researchers from both the academic world and the industry the opportunity to participate in an annual exchange of knowledge and to build a foundation for further collaboration in the future.

About Merz

Merz focuses on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and is a leader in the area of Alzheimer's research. With Memantine, Merz developed the first active ingredient for the treatment of moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease worldwide. Memantine is the second largest product in treating Alzheimer's on the international market. Merz also specializes in clinical and aesthetic dermatology. In addition to the pharmaceutical market, Merz is active in the consumer health care sector. With its registered trademarks, tetesept® and Merz Spezial®, Merz Consumer Care counts as a leading supplier of products for self medication, food supplements, and skin care in German-speaking countries. A Merz subsidiary, Senator GmbH & Co. KGaA, is a leading international manufacturer of writing instruments. The Merz Group employs 2,050 people worldwide (previous year: 1,915). The company achieved revenues of approximately 535 mil. Euro in the 2006 / 07 financial year (previous year: ca. 474 mil. Euro).

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Press Release
Photo of Professor Josef Rauschecker (300dpi)

For more information, contact:

Merz GmbH & Co. KgaA
Jan Schumacher
Corporate Communications
Eckenheimer Landstraße 100
60318 Frankfurt
Tel + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 411
Fax + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 581
E-Mail: jan.schumacher@merz.de

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Hermann Russ
Executive Director
Head of R & D CNS
Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH
Eckenheimer Landstraße 100
60318 Frankfurt
Tel + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 604
Fax + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 1445
E-Mail: hermann.russ@merz.de

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