Pfizer today announced the launch of a new research unit known as Pfizer Regenerative Medicine. This independent research unit will build on recent scientific progress in understanding the biology of stem cells and the opportunity that provides, to discover and develop a new generation of regenerative medicines for major medical needs.

AstraZeneca has announced that the once-daily formulation SEROQUEL XR (quetiapine fumarate extended release tablets) and SEROQUEL (quetiapine fumarate) have been approved under the European Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) for new indications in bipolar disorder. SEROQUEL XR and SEROQUEL have been approved for the treatment of major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.

Roche has announced that the SATURN (SequentiAl Tarceva in UnResectable NSCLC) study met its primary endpoint of progression free survival. The study showed that Tarceva (erlotinib), when given in first line maintenance - immediately following initial treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy - , significantly extended the time patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lived without their cancer getting worse.

Findings from the ATLAS ACS TIMI 46 study - a Phase II study of the novel oral anticoagulant Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) - were presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008 in New Orleans by C. Michael Gibson, M.D., Director of the TIMI Data Coordinating Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

New data from the JUPITER study demonstrated that CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium) 20 mg significantly reduced major cardiovascular (CV) events (defined in this study as the combined risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, arterial revascularization, hospitalization for unstable angina, or death from CV causes) by a dramatic 44% compared to placebo (p<0.001) among men and women with elevated hsCRP but low to normal cholesterol levels.

Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) and Osiris Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OSIR) have entered a strategic alliance for the development and commercialization of Prochymal and Chondrogen, two novel, late-stage adult stem cell treatments that hold significant potential to treat a wide range of diseases.

GlaxoSmithKline [LSE/NYSE: GSK] and Genelabs Technologies, Inc. [NASDAQ: GNLB] have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which GSK will acquire Genelabs for approximately $57 million (£35 million) through a tender offer of $1.30 per share in cash. This strategic acquisition will strengthen GSK’s effort to develop and deliver novel therapies against the hepatitis C virus (HCV).