New data presented today showed that, for the first time, doctors can predict which hepatitis B patients treated with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) have the highest chance to achieve a positive treatment outcome-and even a clinical cure(1,2). The study results represent an important step forward, as some patients will now be able to feel confident during their Pegasys treatment about the likelihood of beating the disease.

Sanofi-aventis (Paris Bourse: EURONEXT: SAN; and New York: NYSE: SNY) announced that the ATHENA trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed that Multaq® (dronedarone), in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduced the risk of first cardiovascular hospitalization or death by 24 percent (31.9% vs. 39.4%, p<0.001) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) or a recent history of these conditions.

Sandoz has received final approval for its third biosimilar, filgrastim, paving the way for this important oncology medicine to be made available to patients across the European Union. Filgrastim is indicated for the treatment of neutropenia, a condition characterized by a lack of neutrophils - one of the most common types of white blood cells - whose role is to fight infection in the body.

Novartis has gained the exclusive worldwide rights to elinogrel, a promising anti-clotting agent in Phase II clinical trials that has shown potential to offer clinical improvements over current anti-clotting medications in helping patients avoid heart attacks and strokes.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, the pharmaceutical division of Bayer HealthCare (BHC), announced today that it will be strengthening its global Research and Development (R&D) capabilities through the foundation of a global R&D center in Beijing, China. The company will invest some 100 million Euro over the next five years to establish the center.

HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. has announced results from an independent study investigating the time required to successfully treat fungal infected human nails which is a leading cause of Onychomycosis. The studies were conducted as part of HemCon's continued program of development for a formulation based on its newest proprietary platform technology.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9 to 0 that prasugrel, an investigational antiplatelet agent, should be approved for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) managed with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, (TSE: 4568), and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced.