GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the formation of a new standalone unit specialising in the development and commercialisation of medicines for rare diseases. Over 5,500 rare diseases have been identified(1) of which less than 10% are currently being treated(2), presenting a significant unmet medical need.

The total Roche Group's sales grew by 10% in local currencies (8% in Swiss francs; 7% in US dollars) to 49.1 billion Swiss francs, with the Pharmaceuticals Division accounting for 80% of Group sales and the Diagnostics Division contributing 20%. Sales growth in both divisions exceeded market growth.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today reported financial results for fourth-quarter and full-year 2009. On October 15, 2009, Pfizer completed the acquisition of Wyeth and, consequently, fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results include the legacy Wyeth operations from the acquisition date through Pfizer's domestic and international year-ends.

Canadian families managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have a new treatment option. Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced the Canadian availability of VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule), the first and only prodrug therapy approved for ADHD treatment in Canada.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) will enter into a strategic alliance with Singapore's scientific and medical institutions to set up a major new translational research hub in Singapore. This "Hub for Translational Medicine" aims to enhance the understanding of how scientific advances from preclinical research can be transferred in practice to patients.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, worldwide total revenue was $5.934 billion, an increase of 14 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. This 14 percent revenue growth was comprised of an increase of 7 percent due to higher volume, 3 percent due to higher prices, and 3 percent due to the impact of foreign exchange rates (numbers do not add due to rounding).

Revenue in the fourth quarter increased by 4 percent at constant exchange rates (CER), but was up 9 percent on an actual basis as a result of the positive impact of exchange rate movements. Revenue benefited from strong growth of the Toprol-XL franchise in the US as a result of the market withdrawal by two generic competitors and from revenues from US government orders for vaccine for Novel Influenza A (H1N1);