Baxter International Inc. and The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter, today announced their combined 2007 charitable giving, which focused on increasing access to healthcare, helping developing nations and countries in crisis, and addressing other critical community needs.

In 2007 Nycomed increased adjusted EBITDA by 31.0% compared to last year to a total of € 1,222.2 million. The strong performance was accompanied in the fourth quarter by major advancements in the US out-licensing efforts that materialised in early 2008. The full year results benefited from increased sales, especially from high-margin products as well as a significant reduction in costs.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated safety information, including an updated boxed warning in the labeling information for the class of drugs known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), including Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa) and EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa).

Pfizer Inc announced today that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld the two main U.S. patents covering Celebrex, the company's selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine used to treat pain and inflammation. The patents had been challenged by generic manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company DAIICHI SANKYO Group has purchased the European rights to the osteoporosis medication EVISTA® from the U.S. Company Eli Lilly and Company. In the process, the company is planning to gain additional sales volume of approximately €80 million.

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.