- Providing IVF clinicians objective embryo viability data and another tool to support patient outcomes
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - EMD Serono, Canada, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany announced today the launch of the Eeva ® Test in Canada. In April, Merck Serono, a biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Auxogyn Inc. for the rights to commercialize the Eeva ® Test in Europe and Canada, with the option to extend to selected countries and regions.
"This partnership is part of our commitment to ensuring that Canadian patients benefit from the most innovative science, medicines, and technologies on their in vitro fertilization journey," said Rehan Verjee, President & Managing Director, EMD Serono, Canada. "The addition of the Eeva® Test further strengthens our position as a leading Fertility company in Canada."
The Eeva® Test is a non-invasive test used adjunctively to traditional morphology assessments done by embryologists in the lab. It utilizes time-lapse imaging and computer software to analyze embryo development, and provides a prediction of which embryos have the highest chance of developing. The Eeva® Test results deliver automated objective information that can help to assess embryo viability and may assist clinicians in improving IVF (in vitro fertilization) patient outcomes. The Eeva® Test is the first 'assessment' tool of its kind in the world.
"Assessing the viability of embryos is an important step in the IVF process," says Christina Porter, Business Unit Director, Fertility and Endocrinology, EMD Serono, Canada. "This device will provide clinicians with a validated test to help with decision making and will provide an extra level of support for couples on their journey to become parents."
According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), approximately five million additional babies have been born worldwide as a result of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) like IVF since 1978.1 This trend is increasing due to advancements in ART and IVF technologies such as the Eeva® Test.
The Eeva® Test is available in Canada through EMD Serono. Auxogyn will continue to market the product in the United States.
References:
1. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. (2012). The world's number of IVF and ICSI babies has now reached a calculated total of 5 million [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.eshre.eu/Press-Room/Press-releases/Press-releases-ESHRE-2012/5-million-babies.aspx
About Eeva
Auxogyn's non-invasive early embryo viability assessment (Eeva®) Test when used adjunctively to traditional morphology may improve IVF outcomes by providing IVF clinicians and patients with objective information on embryo viability. The Eeva® System utilizes proprietary software that automatically analyzes embryo development against scientifically and clinically validated cell-division timing parameters. With Eeva's quantitative data on each embryo's potential development, IVF clinicians can optimize the treatment path for their patients undergoing IVF procedures.
Auxogyn received CE mark for Eeva in July 2012, and it is currently available for use in the select countries in the EU. In the United States, Auxogyn received clearance for the Eeva System from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through its de novo classification process in June 2014.
For more information regarding Eeva, please visit www.eevaivf.com.
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit www.merckserono.com
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. With its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated total revenues of € 11.1 billion in 2013. Around 39,000 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to further the success of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company – since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. is holding the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company is known as EMD.
About EMD Serono, Canada
EMD Serono is a Division of EMD Inc., Canada, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. In Canada, EMD Serono provides innovative drug therapies that address unmet medical needs in the areas of neurodegenerative diseases, fertility and endocrinology. EMD Serono employs approximately 150 people across Canada and is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit to www.emdserono.ca .
SOURCE: EMD Inc.
Shikha Virdi, 905-919-0200 ext. 5504
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