Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced the U.S. launch of the phosphate binder Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate) for dialysis patients, as well as significant progress in its international efforts to secure additional approvals for the product. Genzyme has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency seeking approval of Renvela for the control of serum phosphorus in chronic kidney disease patients regardless of whether they are on dialysis.

Pfizer Inc. reviewed strategies to accelerate and refocus Pfizer's pipeline and capture new opportunities for global growth at a meeting for investment analysts. "We have made real changes in how we operate our business – in our structure, culture and leadership – so that we have a much stronger foundation in place for pursuing the many opportunities before us," said Chairman and CEO Jeff Kindler.

GlaxoSmithKline announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review for Promacta®/Revolade® (eltrombopag) for the short-term treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

US District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against the validity of Bayer Schering Pharma's 531 patent for the company’s oral contraceptive Yasmin, the result of a patent challenge by generic manufacturer Barr Laboratories. Bayer disagrees with the court's decision and will consider its legal options in this regard. The company will continue to vigorously defend its intellectual property.

Pfizer Inc today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Serenex, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company with a Phase I clinical candidate and an extensive compound library that targets Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90), an exciting target in the fight against cancer.

Malaria is a devastating disease killing over one million people, mostly young children and pregnant women every year. There is an urgent need for new medicines to treat the disease as resistance builds to older treatments. GSK and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) are working in partnerships on a number of projects dedicated to finding new malaria treatments.

With mounting evidence that many health professionals lack the training and skills to combat the nation's growing epidemic of diabetes, the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC opened its first training center in the U.S. to improve how practitioners deliver diabetes care in local communities.