Products for treating serious diseases
Our main focus is on the research and development of drugs for treating serious diseases with high unmet medical needs. Our portfolio currently contains drugs to treat cancer (Erbitux®, cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif®, interferon beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f®, follitropin alfa), endocrine disorders (Saizen® and Serostim®, somatropin) as well as cardiometabolic diseases (Concor®, bisoprolol; Glucophage®, metformin). In addition, we are also committed to the research and development of orphan drugs – drugs to treat especially rare diseases. In 2009, Kuvan® was approved as an orphan drug (to treat hyperphenylalaninemia).
Programs for patients
Through compassionate use programs, for humanitarian reason we allow certain patient groups, and in cases of closely legally defined exceptions, access to medicines that have not yet received regulatory approval but have been extensively researched and show promise. For example, in life-threatening situations or for serious diseases that cannot or can no longer be treated in any other way, doctors may use drugs in individual cases even before the drugs have been approved. When doing so, we pursue proactive safety management and make the release of a particular drug dependent on a careful and strict risk-benefit analysis.
For the various therapeutic areas in which we are active, we have also developed patient assistance programs that go beyond treatment and physician consultations. For example, patients are supported with information on the basic condition or living with the disease. One example comes from the United States, where patients with multiple sclerosis can take advantage of free consultation from our U.S. subsidiary, EMD Serono. A central resource center (MS LifeLines) provides those in need and their family members with an extensive help network; they can get information from specialists via the Web or on the telephone. This type of consultation offer was likewise instituted for couples wishing to conceive, for HIV patients suffering from wasting, and for people with growth hormone deficiency.
