Merck 2008 Annual Report Download - page 7

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OLED
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes. New technology for displays and lighting used, for
example, in mobile telephones, MP3 players, and recently also in televisions for the
first time. A further possible use is in lamps.
OTC
Over-the-counter drugs is the term used for drugs that are available at stores and
pharmacies without a prescription.
Praziquantel
A vermifuge used to fight flatworms, tapeworms and distoma including the
schistosoma, the pathogen that causes the tropical disease schistosomiasis.
Rating
Rating is an assessment of a borrower’s ability to pay. Borrowers are classified
according to a bank’s own criteria (internal rating) or the criteria of international
rating agencies such as Moodys or Standard & Poors (external rating).
REACH
REACH stands for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
Chemicals. This is an EU regulation that entered into force in mid 2007.
Research ratio
Research spending as a proportion of the total revenues of the company or division.
Return on sales (ROS)
Ratio of operating result to total revenues.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziosis, is a parasitic disease that is spread in
warm lakes and ponds by snails that serve as intermediate hosts.
Somatotropin
A proteohormone occurring as a growth hormone in the human and animal organism.
Somatotropin is essential to the achievement of normal height.
Total revenues
Sum of sales and royalties. Royalties are earned primarily through patents held by the
Pharmaceuticals business sector.
Touch panels
Screens that are sensitive to touch, allowing users to perform operations at the touch
of a finger, such as at kiosks
VCI
The Verband der Chemischen Industrie (German Chemical Industry Association)
represents the economic-political interests of 1,600 German chemical companies.
2| Merck Annual Report 2008 143GLOSSARY
Contents
4 Letter from Karl-Ludwig Kley
8 Executive Board of Merck KGaA
10 Management Report of the Merck Group
12 Overall economic situation
14 Economic development of Merck
15 Financial position and results of operations
24 Responsibility
26 Merck shares
30 Pharmaceuticals business sector
32 Merck Serono
46 Consumer Health Care
Letter from Karl-Ludwig Kley Page 4
50 Chemicals business sector
52 Liquid Crystals
56 Performance & Life Science Chemicals
60 Corporate and Other
61 Risk report
64 Report on expected developments
64 Subsequent events
65 Corporate governance
67 Board of Partners of E. Merck KG
68 Report of the Supervisory Board
69 Supervisory Board of Merck KGaA