GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE: GSK) and Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) have entered into a definitive agreement under which GSK will acquire HGS for US$14.25 per share in cash. The transaction values HGS at approximately US$3.6 billion on an equity basis, or approximately US$3 billion net of cash and debt,

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Theravance, Inc. (NASDAQ: THRX) announced the submission of regulatory applications in the US and European Union for the once-daily investigational medicine fluticasone furoate "FF"/vilanterol "VI" (FF/VI) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a regulatory application for asthma in the European Union.

In future patients with certain diseases, especially chronic ones, should be treated in a more holistic approach beyond drug treatment only. Thus Boehringer Ingelheim is concentrating on new business models and healthcare innovation and just signed a contract with the US company Healthrageous, Inc., a digital health management company.

As health care systems around the world face challenges such as labor shortages, increased regulation and budget constraints, they rely on technology to help manage the impact. To assist in addressing these challenges, Abbott announced OneLab, a new, Web-based, integrated laboratory informatics solution.

Boehringer Ingelheim has established a translational research collaboration with the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College. The goal of the collaboration is for the scientists of Boehringer Ingelheim to work together with the scientific community of Harvard to advance our knowledge in areas of high unmet medical need.

Seven pharmaceutical companies and four research institutions, working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have launched a ground breaking partnership that aims to speed the discovery of essential new treatments for tuberculosis (TB).

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMLN) announced that Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire Amylin for $31.00 per share in cash, pursuant to a cash tender offer and second step merger, or an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.3 billion.