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- Slim Pack reduces the size of its fertility medication packaging by 40%‡ , aimed at positively impacting patient and customer convenience

- 100% recyclable packaging will lower this fertility medication's global carbon footprint by 33%‡ , a business priority

ROCKLAND, Mass. , Feb. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada , announced the launch of its new Slim Pack fertility medication packaging, reduced in size for convenience and environmental impact.

The new packaging is now 40%‡ smaller for EMD Serono's GONAL-f® RFF* Redi-ject® (follitropin alfa injection) pen. By taking up less refrigerated space at home for patients as well as in the clinic for customers, the company hopes Slim Pack will improve portability, efficiency and convenience. Importantly, the fertility medication remains unchanged within a redesigned, smaller package.

"As leaders in healthcare, we are focused on improving the experiences of our patients and customers, while recognizing our responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations," said Chris Round , President of EMD Serono. "Our new Slim Pack is an initiative we hope will drive convenience while reducing our overall carbon footprint."

Slim Pack will lower GONAL-f® RFF* Redi-ject®'s global carbon footprint by 33%‡. This will play a contributing role in lowering Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's annual worldwide CO2 emissions, an important strategic sustainability goal of EMD Serono's parent company. 

It's expected that the pack size reduction will positively impact the supply chain process, as less cold storage space allows more product to be transported in fewer shipments. Additionally, the new packaging is made of 100% recyclable cardboard, swapping out the previous plastic tray to eliminate approximately 180 metric tons‡ of plastic waste each year.   

Patients and HCPs can learn more about the new packaging by visiting www.emdseronofertility.com.

Consumer Important Risk Information for Gonal-f® RFF* Redi-ject® (follitropin alfa injection) Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® (follitropin alfa injection) is a prescription medicine containing follicle–stimulating hormone (FSH) used in infertile women to:

Do not use Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® if you:

Before using Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject®, tell your healthcare provider about your medical history including any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements used, whether you have or have had asthma, abdominal surgery, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian disease, blood clots (thrombosis) or family history of blood clots, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® may cause serious side effects, including:

The most common side effects of Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® include:

These are not all the possible side effects of Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject®. For more information, read the product labeling, and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1–800–FDA–1088.

Use Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® as directed and do not change your dose unless directed. Do not share your Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® and needles with another person; you may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.

Carefully review the Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® Instructions for Use that comes with the Pen for information about the correct use of Gonal–f® RFF* Redi–ject® and follow all training and instruction provided by your healthcare provider.

Full prescribing information for GONAL-f® RFF* Redi-ject® can be found at: https://www.emdserono.com/us-en/pi/gonal-f-rff-redi-ject-pi.pdf 

About EMD Serono, Inc. EMD Serono - the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada - aspires to create, improve and prolong life for people living with difficult-to-treat conditions like infertility, multiple sclerosis and cancer. The business is imagining the future of healthcare by working to translate the discovery of molecules into potentially meaningful outcomes for people with serious unmet medical needs. EMD Serono's global roots go back more than 350 years with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany . Today, the business has approximately 1,500 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations in Massachusetts . www.emdserono.com.

‡Data on file. Audited by KPMG on Nov 2021 ; CO2 and plastic savings reflect annual estimates at the time of full global Slim Pack implementation. Calculations are based on comparison of most recent calendar year of global pen shipments vs. the equivalent if shipping the new Slim Pack, considering the reduction of the packaging box from 96 x 45 x 215.5 mm to 77.5 x 42 x 157 mm. This results in a 40% volume reduction, that will allow fitting an increased number of units per pallet with the new packaging solution. Carbon footprint defined as the CO2 emissions due to transportation of pen products between Merck manufacturing sites and primary destination / port of entry in each country. Plastic savings calculated using the unit weight of individual plastic tray and multiplied by the total production volume in one calendar year, once Slim Pack fully implemented across all fertility pens worldwide.

Your Contact Melissa Beglin (781) 681-2609

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