Wendy Sussman Joins EMD Serono as Vice President of U.S. Healthcare Government & Public Affairs

ROCKLAND, Mass., March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that Wendy Sussman has joined the organization as Vice President of U.S. Healthcare Government & Public Affairs. In this role, Ms. Sussman will lead the company's government policy strategy and advocacy at the federal and state level. 

"Collaboration is critical across all healthcare stakeholders in order to continue to advocate for and deliver meaningful solutions for patients," said Gary Zieziula, President and Managing Director, EMD Serono. "With Wendy's wealth of knowledge and strategic experience in advocacy and government relations, I'm confident in her ability to further our efforts and strengthen EMD Serono's leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry."

Before joining EMD Serono, Ms. Sussman was Vice President of Public Affairs for Sandoz Inc., a Novartis Division, where she was responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to promote and protect key business priorities and tactics to advance the company's interests through legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, trade associations and advocacy groups. She previously worked as the Head of Governmental Affairs for Hospira where she represented corporate interests before Congress, and helped develop and execute federal, state, policy and alliance development strategies. Her extensive healthcare background also includes 12 years with CVS Caremark (now CVS Health) as the Vice President of Government Affairs. 

Ms. Sussman succeeds Michael Ruggiero, who was recently appointed to a new position within Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, as the Vice President, Global Franchise Business Partners on the Healthcare Global Government and Public Affairs team.  

Ms. Sussman holds a dual-degree from Lafayette College, Easton, PA in Government & Law and International Affairs.

About EMD Serono, Inc. 
EMD Serono is the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada - a leading science and technology company - focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has 1,300 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts. www.emdserono.com

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany 
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of €15.0 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the "Merck" name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

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