GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) confirmed that following a meeting of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has maintained its position that there is no evidence that the presence of porcine circovirus (PCV) in Rotarix™ presents a risk to public health and that there is no need to restrict its use in the European Union.

First results of the RESTORE Phase III study show that ranibizumab is significantly more effective than laser treatment, the current standard of care, at treating visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME), a serious complication of diabetes[1].

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced a definitive agreement with Piramal Healthcare Limited to acquire full ownership of Piramal's Healthcare Solutions business (Domestic Formulations), a leader in the Indian branded generics market, for an up-front payment of $2.12 billion, plus $400 million annually for the next four years, giving Abbott the No. 1 position in the Indian pharmaceutical market.

Pfizer Global Manufacturing announced plans to reconfigure its worldwide plant network to create a fully aligned manufacturing and supply organization from the combined networks of Pfizer and Wyeth.

Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503), a global pharmaceutical company, and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIP), a biotechnology company primarily focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular targeted therapies addressing medical needs in oncology, diabetes and obesity, have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Astellas will acquire OSI.

Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced the creation of the Sanofi Espoir Corporate Foundation, dedicated to implementing health and solidarity programs worldwide.

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Nycomed announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for roflumilast.