Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany is starting Phase III with an innovative patch for female contraception that combines low dosed ethinylestradiol and gestodene. Approximately 3300 women will be enrolled into two global studies to evaluate the contraceptive reliability of the patch starting in May 2009.

Pfizer, Inc (NYSE: PFE), the world's premier biopharmaceutical company, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the private, non-profit patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have signed a license for human embryonic stem (hES) cell patents for the development of new drug therapies.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is committed to supporting governments and health authorities around the world to respond to the emergence of the new influenza A (H1N1) strain. The company has developed a number of potential interventions which it believes may be of value in efforts to reduce the impact and spread of this new influenza virus.

Results from an international, placebo-controlled trial,(1) presented for the first time at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Seattle, U.S.A. demonstrate that Mirapexin® / Sifrol® (pramipexole) also improves depressive symptoms, a common, disabling non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), in addition to its established efficacy in treating the motor symptoms of PD.

Bayer HealthCare AG, Germany has entered into a global agreement with Ardea Biosciences, Inc., San Diego California, USA (Nasdaq: RDEA) focused on the development of small molecule mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors for the treatment of solid tumors. These kinases are believed to play an important role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis, as well as inflammation.

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) has reported financial results for first-quarter 2009. Revenues were $10.9 billion, a decrease of 8% compared with the year-ago quarter. Foreign exchange unfavorably impacted revenues by approximately $640 million or 5%. For first-quarter 2009, U.S. revenues were $5.0 billion, a decrease of 10% compared with the year-ago quarter.

All in all, the Merck Group performed solidly during the first quarter of 2009. However, Merck is not an island. The recession is affecting the company's results, mainly in the Chemicals business sector. In addition, this year's first quarter is compared to a very strong first quarter in 2008.