AstraZeneca and Columbia University Medical Center in New York announced that they have entered into a strategic research collaboration in metabolic related diseases, to develop novel therapeutics primarily in type 2 diabetes and obesity and, with a secondary focus on atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)/dyslipidaemia (abnormal blood lipid levels). 
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) announced updated results from the ongoing, open-label extension study on the long-term safety and efficacy of romiplostim in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a chronic and serious autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts in the blood. 
This summer, Maria Machado, a supply chain expert from Brazil, will make an extended visit to Africa â unlike any trip sheâs taken before. Maria and 15 of her colleagues at Pfizer, Inc. are part of a now 5-year-old skills-based corporate volunteerism program, the Pfizer Global Health Fellows. Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) announced that it has completed the acquisition of all remaining outstanding shares of common stock of Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ENCY) through a merger of Pfizerâs wholly-owned subsidiary, Explorer Acquisition Corp., with and into Encysive. Encysive is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pfizer. 
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) for routine use within the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland for its currently licensed indication: the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in adults who have undergone total hip or knee replacement surgery. 
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that it has completed its acquisition of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Sirtris) for approximately USD720 million (or approx. GBP362 million) through a cash tender offer of USD22.50 (or approx. GBP11.33) per share. 
Nycomed agreed with 4SC on the sale of a major part of Nycomed's R&D projects in the field of oncology. Eight projects in the preclinical and first clinical stage will be transferred to 4SC. The agreement is part of Nycomed's strategic decision not to further invest in oncology R&D activities.