Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has received a second Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its ALK inhibitor, Alecensa (alectinib). The latest BTD was granted for the treatment of adult patients with advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor.

Novartis presented new findings from the largest global survey to date of people with psoriasis, showing many do not achieve the treatment goal of clear skin or even believe it is a realistic goal[1]. People with the disease also report that they face discrimination, humiliation, and mental illness, according to the research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, the research arm of Sarah Cannon, the global cancer institute of HCA, have announced a new strategic collaboration. This partnership brings together Boehringer Ingelheim's extensive experience in cancer drug development and Sarah Cannon's expertise and leadership in designing and optimizing clinical trials.

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARWR) today announced two license and collaboration agreements to develop and commercialize RNA interference (RNAi) therapies for cardiovascular disease. These are the first programs to utilize Arrowhead's proprietary subcutaneous RNAi delivery platform. RNAi molecules may be designed to target and shut down specific gene products that contribute to various diseases.

Sandoz, the Novartis generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical division, announces the launch of Sandoz HACk - Healthcare Access Challenge - a global competition to generate innovative ideas and solutions to help tackle some of the world's most pressing healthcare access problems. The competition is open for entries until November 30, 2016.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq:NKTR) today announced a new clinical collaboration to evaluate Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo (nivolumab) with Nektar's investigational medicine, NKTR-214, as a potential combination treatment regimen in five tumor types and seven potential indications.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced that, after an extensive evaluation, the company's Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team have determined the company is best positioned to maximize future shareholder value creation in its current structure and will not pursue splitting Pfizer Innovative Health and Pfizer Essential Health into two, separate publicly traded companies at this time.