AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for MEDI8897, an extended half-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F monoclonal antibody (mAb) being developed for the prevention of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by RSV.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended a new indication for the marketing authorisation of Forxiga (dapagliflozin), after adopting a positive opinion for use as an oral adjunct treatment to insulin in adults with type-1 diabetes (T1D).

Pfizer today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending Vizimpro® (dacomitinib) 45 mg, as monotherapy, be granted marketing authorization in the European Union (EU) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that it has been granted Patent No. US 10,193,695 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent relates to the formation of 'crypto-objects', a novel security procedure linking Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study evaluating tanezumab 2.5 mg or 5 mg in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The tanezumab 5 mg treatment arm met all three co-primary endpoints at 24 weeks, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in pain, physical function and the patients' overall assessment of their OA compared to those receiving placebo.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved a new indication for Repatha® (evolocumab) as the first PCSK9 inhibitor in China for adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary revascularization.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Tencent, a leading provider of Internet value added services. The collaboration will primarily focus on increasing public disease awareness and providing more accessible healthcare services via digital platforms in China, by leveraging the company's scientific leadership and expertise combined with Tencent's leading technology in the fields of internet and artificial intelligence.