In the first three months of 2011 Group sales remained stable in local currencies (-9% in Swiss francs; +2% in US dollars) at 11.1 billion Swiss francs.

Pfizer Inc. announced top-line results from the ORAL Scan Phase 3 study (A3921044) of tofacitinib (development code: CP-690,550), formerly known as tasocitinib, an investigational, novel, oral JAK inhibitor.

Bayer's rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) has been submitted for marketing approval in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW).

Genzyme Corp., a subsidiary of sanofi-aventis Group (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), reported additional five-year patient data from its completed Phase 2 multiple sclerosis (MS) trial showing that nearly two-thirds of alemtuzumab treated patients remained free of clinically-active disease

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) ("Forest") has successfully completed its acquisition of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) ("Clinical Data") by means of what is known as a short-form merger under Delaware law.

Nycomed has entered into several agreements with various pharmaceutical companies, including Almirall S.A., Anika Therapeutics, Inc., Bionorica AG, CSL Behring and Helsinn Healthcare SA.

Novartis is discontinuing a Phase III trial of Tasigna® (nilotinib) for investigational use in the first-line treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) based on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee.