Another focus is the clinical and aesthetic dermatology.
CNS
Serious neurological diseases significantly restrict patients’ everyday lives and represent a major burden for family members and caregivers. Targeted therapies that delay the course of the disease not only improve the quality of life of the people affected, but also reduce the costs of care and treatment to society. Merz is a leader in the field of Alzheimer’s research and developed the world’s first active ingredient for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (Memantine). The product is sold worldwide under the brand names Axura®, Akatinol®, Namenda®, and Ebixa®. Meanwhile, for Alzheimer’s disease Memantine is the number 2 in prescriptions worldwide.
Another innovation from the Merz laboratories is Xeomin®, the next generation botulinum toxin type A. Merz is the first and only company to succeed in eliminating complexing proteins from the botulinum toxin complex. Thus Xeomin® contains the pure neurotoxin and is expected to reduce the risk of secondary therapy failure in botulinum toxin thearapy. Xeomin® is injected into the muscle tissue and relaxes the muscles for a period of up to a few months. Xeomin® is approved in Germany and Mexico for the indications spasmodic torticollis* and blepharospasm.
Dermatology
Treatment of the skin is an established core competency at Merz. Merz is the world`s leader for scar treatment. Building on this competence, the company will systematically evolve into a full provider for a comprehensive product portfolio in clinical and aesthetic dermatology.
The goal of aesthetic dermatology is to delay the natural aging process of the skin and to preserve a natural, beautiful appearance for as long as possible.
Merz has two complimentary products for skin rejuvenation: Hyal-System® and Belotero®. Hyal-System® is an innovative injection treatment for intradermal rejuvenation and bio-revitalisation. Belotero® is a hyaluronic acid filler for the augmentation of folds and lips.

Research & Development at Merz
Therapeutic innovation requires research geared toward results. As one German pharmaceutical company with its own research and development, Merz is not only focused on the development of new substances, but is also continuously on the lookout for new uses for existing substances.
Year by year, the company increases its investment in this work. During the past fiscal year, Merz invested 48 million Euros – increasing its total pharmaceutical research by 80% compared to the previous year.
Research at Merz is directed to areas that are in need of new innovations, are highly useful for medical science, and have increasing numbers of patients. For these reasons, the company has specialized in targeted areas of neurological and psychiatric illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Tinnitus, and neuromuscular defects. An additional area is clinical and aesthetic dermatology.
In our intensive co-operation with nationally and internationally recognized experts and renowened scientific institutions we develop and optimize new compounds. Only Merz substances with patent protection, innovative mechanisms of action, and convincingly improved therapeutic benefits go through the lengthy process of preclinical and clinical development. The latest testing procedures ensure effictiveness and safety in use.

Merz is actively seeking international expansion, and plans to establish a presence in all key European markets through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Merz has already a presence in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom, and France, as well as in Russia, Mexico and the USA. Additional co-operations and licensing agreements with long-standing partners such as Forest Laboratories Inc. in the US market or H. Lundbeck A/S and Grünenthal GmbH for the European and other markets ensure that Merz Pharmaceuticals’ products are available in many other countries, too.