Novartis has gained exclusive rights to two oral targeted investigational therapies for patients with a range of life-threatening blood disorders and cancers that currently do not have effective treatment options.

H. Lundbeck A/S announced the initiation of a multi-centre, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study of Lu AE58054 as add-on to donepezil in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease. The clinical phase II study is planned to enrol approximately 270 patients.

TikoMed AB, a biotechnology company focused on development and commercialization of innovative treatments for immune diseases and cell therapies, today announced that IBsolvMIR® has been granted orphan drug designation for the prevention of graft rejection of pancreatic islet transplantation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Today, Novartis officially inaugurated the US's first ever large-scale flu cell culture vaccine and adjuvant manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The facility is a result of a partnership between Novartis and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Merck KGaA announced plans to strengthen its global research and development (R&D) capabilities of its Merck Serono division by establishing a global R&D center in Beijing, China. Merck is planning to invest more than € 150 million and create more than 200 new qualified jobs over the next four years to set up the China R&D center and conduct R&D activities in China.

Merck & Co., Inc. announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended approval of ELONVA® (corifollitropin alfa injection) as a treatment in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in combination with a GnRH antagonist for the development of multiple follicles in women participating in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) program.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 11 to 1 that clinical data included in a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) provide substantial and convincing evidence to support the claim that SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) reduces exacerbations (worsening of symptoms) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).