GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA), the third largest biotechnology company in the world, announced today that the Serono Biotech Center, its manufacturing facility of Corsier-sur-Vevey in Switzerland, has received ISO 14001:2004 certification, the international environmental standard of excellence.
"The ISO 14001:2004 certification of our manufacturing facility of Corsier-sur-Vevey reflects Serono's commitment to environment protection and sustainable development," said Jonathan Barnsley, Director of the Serono Biotech Center. "We are proud of this certification as it is recognition of our efforts to achieve continual improvement in our environmental performance."
Serono's biotechnological manufacturing processes use mammalian cells and generate neither hazardous chemicals, nor heavy metals, toxic materials, persistent polluting agents, or ozone-depleting substances.
Opened in April 1999, the Serono Biotech Center is one of the world's largest biotech facilities, using the very latest state-of-the-art technology. It currently employs 220 persons. The facility houses process development activities, where the best methods of producing the therapeutic proteins are researched and developed, and production of drug substances, both for clinical trials and for the worldwide market. The active ingredient of Rebif(R) (interferon-beta-1a) is produced at the Serono Biotech Center.
Serono's manufacturing facility of Bari in Italy also recently received ISO 14001:2004 certification.
ISO 14000 is a series of environmental management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which serve as guidance for companies seeking to systematically improve environmental management efforts. Adherence to the ISO 14000 standards is voluntary.
For Serono
Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on Serono's current expectations and assumptions, which may be affected by a number of factors, including those discussed in this press release and more fully described in Serono's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. These factors include any failure or delay in Serono's ability to develop new products, any failure to receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing current products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to obtain reimbursement coverage for our products, the outcome of government investigations and litigation and government regulations limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono has no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
About Serono
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has eight biotechnology products, Rebif(R), Gonal-f(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R)/ Ovitrelle(R), Serostim(R), Saizen(R), Zorbtive(TM) and Raptiva(R). In addition to being the world leader in reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in neurology, metabolism and growth and has recently entered the psoriasis area. The Company's research programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new therapeutic areas, including oncology. Currently, there are approximately 30 ongoing development projects.
In 2004, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,458.1 million, and a net income of US$494.2 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the world. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. Bearer shares of Serono S.A., the holding company, are traded on the virt-x (SEO) and its American Depositary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).
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