Merck Serono Growth Hormone Injection Device easypod® Approved in
Japan
Geneva, Switzerland, September 16, 2009 – Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA
Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that the Japanese health authorities, the
Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), have granted a marketing
authorization for easypod® in Japan. Easypod® was developed for exclusive use with
cartridges of Saizen® (somatropin), Merck Serono’s human recombinant growth
hormone for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency.
Easypod® is an innovative electronic auto injection device designed to improve ease of
usage, reliability and convenience for patients who need daily subcutaneous injections
of Saizen®. It allows patients to self-inject in just three simple key steps. Additionally, a
built-in dose memory automatically records the number of doses administered, allowing
physicians and caregivers to accurately monitor patient adherence to therapy.
“Easypod is both an easy to use and intelligent device enabling physicians to track
patients’ adherence to Saizen therapy, which is an essential component for optimal
treatment outcomes,” said Franck Latrille, Executive Vice President, Head of
Commercial International at Merck Serono. “We are pleased to offer this innovative and
successful device today to patients in Japan.”
Easypod® is registered in 39 other countries worldwide including European countries
and the United States. In Japan, easypod® will be launched in the course of 2009.
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