Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS), excluding stock option expense and certain other expenses, of $1.12 for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 4 percent compared to $1.08 for the first quarter of 2007. Adjusted net income, excluding stock option expense and certain other expenses, decreased 4 percent to $1,218 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1,270 million in the first quarter of 2007.

Pfizer has entered into a collaboration agreement with four major research universities – University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB); Caltech; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and University of Massachusetts – and Entelos, a physiological modeling company, to re-examine the regulatory mechanisms of human energy metabolism.

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.