Merck Serono, a biopharmaceutical division of Merck KgaA, announced its support for the Chimiscope, a new initiative of the University of Geneva and the Association Industrielle Genevoise des Sciences de la Vie (AIGSV) developed in the framework of the International Year of Chemistry.

The Chimiscope is designed to share scientific knowledge, encourage ambition around chemistry and biochemistry, and highlight career prospects in the field. Merck Serono has provided financial support to this educational initiative as part of its commitment to the promotion of life sciences.

Located within the compound of the University of Geneva, the Chimiscope offers a demonstration laboratory to allow school children, students, teachers and the general public to discover chemistry and biochemistry in an interactive manner. The complex includes a laboratory, a conference room seating approximately 25 people, and features audio-visual equipment for presentations and video projections.

”In Switzerland there are only a few initiatives, aimed at motivating young people to explore careers in chemistry and biochemistry. The University of Geneva is ideally positioned to accommodate and initiate a program such as the Chimiscope,“ said Professor Alexandre Alexakis, chairman of the section of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Geneva.

“Chemistry and biochemistry are essential for researchers to develop new drugs that will contribute to improving patients’ lives”, said Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum, Head of Global Discovery & Early Development at Merck Serono. “As a major player in the field of life sciences, Merck Serono is committed to supporting initiatives such as the Chimiscope, which aims at sharing and practicing science. We hope that the Chimiscope will inspire the young generations of scientists and spark new vocations for future careers in research.”

The funding of the Chimiscope is part of a broader partnership of Merck Serono with the University of Geneva, which also includes support for open door days for microbiology and an exhibition on the genome recently created in the Medical School.

Merck Serono’s commitment towards science and educational initiatives is further reflected in the company’s support and active participation in events such as “Nuit de La Science” since 2004, a highly popular exhibition taking place every two years in Geneva, aimed at sharing science with the general public, and recently, through the donation of audio-visual equipment for the temporary exhibition "Elementary! A History of Chemistry" at the Geneva sciences museum.