Roche has announced results from the international phase III study NO16968 (XELOXA), investigating oral Xeloda in combination with intravenous oxaliplatin (XELOX) immediately after surgery, which show that patients with colon cancer taking XELOX live disease free for longer compared to those taking the commonly used intravenous chemotherapy combination 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV).

Nycomed has announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Daxas® as a once-daily oral treatment for patients with symptomatic COPD. The NDA submission is based on encouraging results from four Phase III trials of Daxas® (roflumilast) in the treatment of symptomatic COPD.

• Pharmaceuticals an industry growth leader: Net sales up 12% (local currencies) in first half of 2009 on contributions from new products and expansion in all regions
• R&D maintains momentum: Anti-cancer therapy Afinitor introduced in the US, awaiting EU approval; new biologic Ilaris and OTC brand Prevacid 24HR gain US approvals; clinical trials set to start in July for A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine
• H1 2009 operating results advance well, but impacted negatively by currencies:

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved under the European Union (EU) Merger Regulation the company's pending acquisition of Wyeth. The Commission's decision includes Pfizer's commitment to divest certain animal health assets in the EU.

Pfizer Inc has announced results from two Phase 1 safety studies, one of PF-04360365, a humanized anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody (mAb), and another of dimebon (latrepirdine*) in combination with donepezil HCl tablets, in patients with Alzheimer's disease.(1,2) Based on the Phase 1 study results, PF-04360365 has advanced into Phase 2.(3)

Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer of GlaxoSmithKline, has announced a series of new initiatives targeted at improving research, development, and access to HIV/AIDS medicines for children in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting healthcare for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Abbott has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop an automated molecular diagnostic test, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, intended to screen non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors for expression of the MAGE-A3 antigen. GSK's MAGE-A3 ASCI (Antigen Specific Cancer Immunotherapy) candidate is currently being evaluated as an adjuvant treatment in resected NSCLC in the Phase III clinical study MAGRIT, the largest lung cancer treatment study ever conducted.