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The pharmaceutical company Merz is 100 years old

Frankfurt / Main, 07.03.2008

On 9 March 1908, at the young age of twenty-four, Friedrich Merz established his first pharmaceutical production facility in Frankfurt: The "Chemische Fabrik Merz & Co". Today, Merz is an internationally successful research-based company with 2000 employees around the world and proven expertise in the fields of neurology and psychiatry. A ceremony in Frankfurt will herald the start of its centenary year and provides an insight into the company's history as well as the future of medicine.

Friedrich Merz had a good eye for the needs of his fellow men, he wanted to do things better and, above all, differently from others. This guiding principle formed the basis of an impressive company success story. Only a few years after founding the company, Friedrich Merz developed the first-ever topical contraceptive, Patentex, he created new possibilities for the use of therapeutic salves, and together with his brother George, he founded the writing instruments company Merz + Krell, which is now known worldwide by the name of Senator. With the Merz Spezial Dragees, he injected new life into active ingredient cosmetics, and with tetesept®, he established a powerful brand in the field of self-medication. "An entrepreneurial spirit of innovation, a great will to implement his ideas, a wide range of interests and self-confidence in his own abilities" were what characterised Friedrich Merz, says Dr. Jochen Hückmann, Shareholders´ Council and grandson of the company's founder.

Since the 1970s, the company has increasingly pushed the introduction of prescription pharmaceuticals, such as those for the treatment of Parkinson's or elevated blood lipids. For years, Merz has been experiencing dynamic growth with particular expertise in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases, as well as in the field of aesthetic dermatology. The company's own scientists have been able to achieve remarkable success in the area of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. With Memantine, Merz developed the world's first approved medication for the treatment of moderate to severe cases of Alzheimer's dementia.

Ceremony on March 12th: Research means shaping the future

The anniversary celebrations will be officially opened with a ceremony on March 12th. In addition to the company's history, attention will be focused primarily on the future of medicine. For the anniversary, renowned scientists from Europe and beyond have outlined their visions and research work - from the development of brain research to the role played by artificial intelligence in medicine, they provide fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. So the ceremony underscores the company's ambition to develop innovative pharmaceutical products and enable new methods of therapy in the future too. As guest speakers, it has been possible to acquire the services of the Hesse state premier, Roland Koch, the Lord Mayor of Frankfurt, Petra Roth, the publisher of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, Frank Schirrmacher, and the English neurologist, Baroness Susan Greenfield.

About Merz

Merz specializes in drugs for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric illnesses and is a leader in the field of Alzheimer's research. Merz developed Memantine, the world's first drug for the treatment of moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Among drugs to combat Alzheimer's, Memantine ist he second most-often sold in the world. Another area of competence at Merz is clinical and cosmetic dermatology. Along with the pharmaceuticals market, Merz is active in the healthcare sector outside of the pharmacy as well. With its brand names tetesept® and Merz Spezial®, Merz Consumer Care is a leading provider of products for self-medication, dietary supplements and skin care in German-speaking countries. A Merz subsidiary, Senator GmbH & Co. KGaA is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality promotional writing instruments worldwide. The Merz Group employs 2,050 employees worldwide (previous year: 1,915 employees). The company achieved revenues of approximately € 535 million in the 2006/07 financial year (previous year: approximately € 474 million).

You can find further information about the history of the company and the anniversary, as well as extensive image material at www.merz.com/company/history.

Download

Press Release
1908 - FOUNDATION on March 9th (300dpi)
1909 - ECKENHEIMER LANDSTRASSE (300dpi)
1911 - PATENTEX FIRST BIRTH CONTROL (300dpi)
1911 - SEROL (300dpi)
1914 - MENTHOL CIGARETTES (300dpi)
1920 - DIVERSIFICATION (300dpi)
1953 - FIRST ANTI-WRINKLE PREPARATION (300dpi)
1964 - BEAUTY CARE FROM WITHIN (300dpi)
1968 - FOAMING MASK (300dpi)

Your contact

Merz GmbH & Co. KGaA
Ute Weinhold
Corporate Communications
Eckenheimer Landstraße 100
60318 Frankfurt
GERMANY
Tel + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 889
Fax + 49 - 69 - 15 03 - 581
E-Mail: ute.weinhold@merz.de

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