MERCK KGAA News Release Your Contact
Bettina Frank +49 6151 72-4660
October 23, 2015
Not intended for UK based media
- The easypod® as part of the easypod connect system, engages patients with their healthcare professionals by promoting accurate data exchange of their adherence throughout their treatment
Darmstadt, Germany, October 23, 2015 - Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced being recognized with the 2015 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership. Merck received this award this year for helping patient compliance with its device system in the therapy with human growth hormones.
Each year, this award is presented to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning and customer satisfaction. This years´ decision was taken based on Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis of the human growth hormone (hGH) market.
While with Saizen® endogenous growth hormone deficiency in children and adults is treated, Merck's ambition is to raise patient compliance to benefit healthcare systems, doctors and most importantly patients.
Simon Sturge, Chief Operating Officer of Merck´s biopharma business, sees the award as another proof point of fulfilling Merck's aspiration of patient centricity. 'Helping patients to live a better life is what we strive for at Merck. Innovative products like the easypod system are examples of our constant entrepreneurial spirit that drives us to improve the medical care for the benefit of our patients. Being
Page 1 of 3
Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt · Germany Hotline +49 6151 72-5000
www.merckgroup.com
Head Media Relations -62445 Spokesperson: -9591 / -7144 / -6328
Fax +49 6151 72 3138
media.relations@merckgroup.com
awarded for Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership shows us that our ambition is truly reaching those we work for.'
As the majority of patients with hGH deficiency are children, adherence to drug treatment is a critical concern. Merck has tackled this issue head-on with a combination of its recombinant growth hormone (r-hGH) drug Saizen and the related easypod device system.
'Merck pioneered the first and only electronic, automated human growth hormone drug delivery device, the easypod,' said Frost & Sullivan Director Tonya Fowler. 'The easypod is easy to use via its single-touch, soft-push technology, but the electronic recording of each injection and dose is the most important feature, as this recording helps doctors and patients more effectively track the drug treatment.'
The easypod device system consists of three integrated elements: easypod injection device, easypod connect data transmitter, and Web- or Cloud-based easypod connect software. These combine to offer real-time electronic recording of the dose administration and accessibility of this information for the healthcare professional. The injection and dose history is stored and managed through easily readable reports that healthcare professionals can use to monitor patient's adherence. More importantly, this data helps promote an informed conversation between physicians and their patients to address any potential questions. This opens up dialogue opportunities related to adherence and treatment dosages, which helps in the overall care delivery to the patient.
Additionally, Frost & Sullivan considered that for Europe Merck offers telephone patient support programs related to its injection devices and the easypod connect system where deployed. The service is available 24/7, employs highly trained patient support representatives, and aids with device use, treatment information, reimbursement support, device refill supplies, and referrals to trainers for personal device use.
Easypod's real-time electronic recording can demonstrate to patients, physicians and even payers that the full dose has been correctly administered with every injection. This reduces instances of incomplete dosing and drug wastage, thereby
lowering the total cost burden, and can help to improve overall patient outcomes. Additionally, it may lead to management benefits for patients, physicians and payers.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.
Their 'Growth Partnership' supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.
-
The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to their clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
- The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes a 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as a global footprint of more than 40 offices.
For more than 50 years, Frost & Sullivan has been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is an organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?
All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 40,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2014, Merck generated sales of € 11.3 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.
|
distributed by
|
