GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) and Innoviva, Inc. (NASDAQ: INVA) today announced that the results from the pioneering Salford Lung Study (SLS) have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This unique study, which reported headline results in May 2016, was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Relvar® Ellipta® in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), compared with their 'usual care' administered in an everyday clinical practice setting.

Results from pivotal Phase III trials presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress demonstrated that adding benralizumab to standard-of-care medicine significantly reduced exacerbations and improved lung function and asthma symptoms in severe asthma patients with an eosinophilic phenotype, as indicated by the presence of eosinophils in their blood.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Boehringer Ingelheim today announced that Amgen has acquired global development and commercial rights from Boehringer Ingelheim for BI 836908 (AMG 420), a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) that targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a potential target for multiple myeloma.

Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies, and Saniona, a leading biotech company in the field of ion channel drug discovery, have entered into a research collaboration with the objective to discover and develop novel compounds for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Novartis today opened the 13th International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp). Over the course of three days more than 60 selected students from international universities will discuss and explore with biotechnology and business experts how patients around the world can benefit from innovative technologies.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to acquire the development and commercialization rights to its late-stage small molecule anti-infectives business, primarily outside the United States.

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) today announced they have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track designation for the development programme in Alzheimer's disease for AZD3293, an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor currently in Phase III clinical trial.