Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Effient™(prasugrel) tablets for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events (including stent thrombosis) in patients with acute coronary syndromes who are managed with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, has signed an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with the Polish insulin producer Bioton S.A. and Bioton's Singaporean subsidiary, SciGen, to strengthen its pharmaceutical product portfolio. For an up-front payment of 31 million Euros, Bayer acquires the exclusive right to market and distribute insulin produced by Bioton under the trade name of SciLin® in China.

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) announced that a pivotal, Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,049 patients with advanced breast cancer met its primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Zometa.

AstraZeneca plans to conduct further development of AZD3480 by initiating Phase IIb studies in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has agreed to make a $10 million milestone payment to Targacept. AstraZeneca also plans to continue development of AZD1446 (TC-6683) for Alzheimer's disease. AZD1446 is currently in Phase 1 and was discovered in the ongoing AstraZeneca-Targacept research collaboration.

Bayer has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new estradiol-based oral contraceptive (estradiol valerate/dienogest). It seeks approval for the indications oral contraception and treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding. The new product with an estradiol valerate/dienogest combination is the first in a new class of oral contraceptives to deliver estradiol, the estrogen identical to the one produced by the female body.

Through the acquisition of the Aarhus-based biotech company NeuronIcon, Lundbeck will gain ownership of technologies that may lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of brain damage following strokes or similar events. The acquisition is the result of Lundbeck's intensified collaboration with universities in Denmark and abroad.

Several area health care organizations agree that today's tough economic times can make staying healthy a challenge. The organizations provided tips for Ohioans to stay healthy. Those organizations are: The Athletic Club of Columbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Dietetic Association, Lilly USA, Mental Health America of Franklin County, NAMI Ohio, Ohio Association of Free Clinics, Ohio Department of Health and Prevent Blindness Ohio.