Merck & Co., Inc. announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has recommended two medicines for marketing approval in the European Union (EU).

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: SIRT) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which GlaxoSmithKline will acquire Sirtris Pharmaceuticals for approximately USD720 million (or approx. GBP362 million) through a cash tender offer of USD22.50 (or approx. GBP11.33) per share.

Sales in the first quarter increased by 4 percent at CER, or 10 percent on an as reported basis. Sales in the US were up 5 percent; the inclusion of MedImmune sales in the quarter more than offset the decline in Toprol-XL™ sales in the US market.

Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ: GENZ) reported results for the first quarter of 2008, which featured excellent revenue growth, continued operating leverage, a significant increase in non-GAAP profit, and strong progress across the company.

On track for solid growth in 2008, Novartis reported higher net sales and double-digit earnings growth in the first quarter of 2008 from the Group's continuing operations now entirely focused on healthcare and reaffirmed its outlook for record sales and earnings for the full year.

Novartis has announced a 20% average reduction in the price of Coartem® tablets (artemether/lumefantrine 20 mg/120 mg), the state-of-the-art artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT) for malaria. Starting this Friday, which is World Malaria Day, this price reduction will increase access to Coartem for millions of malaria patients, especially children in low income regions of Africa.

The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2008. Financial highlights for the first quarter of 2008:

• Net revenue increased by 19% to $79.4 million for the first quarter of 2008 from $66.6 million for the first quarter of 2007.