• EMD Serono Inc., of Rockland, Mass., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, initiated a global research award to improve scientific understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS). The grant will award up to €1 million (US$1.3 million) annually to fund innovative academic research in MS. Funds will be awarded by EMD Serono for projects based in the U.S. and Canada and by Merck Serono to those based elsewhere.