AstraZeneca announced today the successful completion of the acquisition of Icosavax, Inc., a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated, high-potential vaccines using an innovative, protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. As a result of the acquisition, Icosavax has become a subsidiary of AstraZeneca, with operations in Seattle, US.

Bayer AG and Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a gene therapy company wholly owned and independently operated as a subsidiary of Bayer AG, announced that the first patient has been randomized in GenePHIT (Gene PHosphatase Inhibition Therapy), a Phase II trial of AB-1002 (also known as NAN-101) for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Vividion Therapeutics, Inc. (Vividion), announced that it has initiated dosing of patients in a Phase I clinical trial evaluating VVD-130850, an investigational oral STAT3 inhibitor for the treatment of advanced solid and hematologic tumors. Vividion is a biopharmaceutical company, and a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG,

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Pfizer Inc. (NYE: PFE) today announced the launch of "Change the Odds: Uniting to Improve Cancer Outcomes™," a three-year initiative to bridge the gap in cancer care disparities. Through $15 million in funding from Pfizer, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes in medically underrepresented communities across the United States by enhancing awareness of and access to cancer screenings, clinical trial opportunities, and patient support and comprehensive navigation.

The Bayer Group is introducing a new operating model called "Dynamic Shared Ownership" (DSO) worldwide, which will reduce hierarchies, eliminate bureaucracy, streamline structures and accelerate decision-making processes. The aim of the new operating model is to make the company much more agile and significantly improve its operational performance.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that it has received notice of an unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital Investment Corporation of Ontario, Canada to purchase up to 4 million shares of Pfizer common stock at a price of $27.35 per share in cash. TRC Capital Investment's offer price of $27.35 per share is approximately 4.4 percent lower than the $28.61 closing share price of Pfizer's common stock on December 27, 2023 - the business day prior to the date of the offer.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Tecentriq® SC (atezolizumab), the European Union (EU)'s first PD-(L)1 cancer immunotherapy for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. Subcutaneous (SC) injection offers the potential for a faster, more convenient alternative to intravenous (IV) infusion and is preferred by cancer patients, nurses and physicians