Merck increases MS Ventures commitment

The fund was originally launched in March 2009 with a €40m commitment from Merck. Prior to the creation of the dedicated investment affiliate MS Ventures, the fund was managed by Merck's biopharmaceutical division, Merck Serono. MS Ventures will now control the fund and all of Merck Serono's venture capital activity.

The MS Ventures fund invests in biotechnology companies that work in fields relating to Merck Serono's key therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology.

Merck Serono is based in Darmstadt, Germany, and is a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical and chemical corporation Merck Group. It was created in 2007 when Merck acquired the Swiss biotechnology company Serono and became the group's prescription medication arm.

Merck Serono employs 15,600 staff and reaches 150 countries globally. The biopharmaceutical division recorded revenues of €6.4bn and an EBITDA of €1.4bn in 2012. Its parent company, Merck Group, reported total revenues of €11.2bn for 2012.

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