Patients in Japan stand to benefit from the approval of four innovative medicines - Tasigna® for the treatment of a life-threatening form of leukemia, Xolair® for severe asthma, Co-Dio®[*] for high blood pressure, and Lucentis® for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that is a major cause of blindness in people over the age of 50 in Japan.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008:

• Worldwide sales increased 10.1 percent to $8 billion, including an unfavorable 2.5 percent effect of exchange rates. Full-year 2008 sales were nearly $30 billion.

Johnson & Johnson has announced sales for the year 2008 of $63.7 billion, an increase of 4.3% over 2007. Operational growth was 1.9% with currency contributing 2.4%. Domestic sales decreased 0.4%, while international sales increased 9.7%, reflecting operational growth of 4.6% and a positive currency impact of 5.1%. Worldwide sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $15.2 billion, a decrease of 4.9% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) has announced the introduction of new CLARITIN(R) Liqui-Gels(R), the first and only non-drowsy allergy medicine in an easy-to-swallow liquid-filled capsule. Now available over-the-counter, CLARITIN(R) Liqui-Gels(R) provide powerful liquid relief for the worst allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness.

Pfizer Inc said today it has received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking for additional information on the company's application for lasofoxifene. The investigational compound is currently under review for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fracture.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (HHS, BARDA) has awarded Novartis Vaccines a contract for up to USD 486 million over eight years to support the design, construction, validation, and licensing of U.S. cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities in Holly Springs, North Carolina, to provide a pre-pandemic supply of influenza vaccine and to provide the capacity to manufacture 150 million doses of pandemic vaccine within six months of declaration of an influenza pandemic.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that it has reached resolution with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (EDPA) and the Office of Consumer Litigation of the Department of Justice regarding the previously-reported government investigation into the company's past U.S. marketing and promotional practices for the antipsychotic medication Zyprexa(R) (olanzapine).