Pfizer Inc announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued a "Notice of Allowance" accepting the company's application to correct the technical defect in the '995 enantiomer patent for atorvastatin calcium, the salt form of atorvastatin sold as Lipitor.

Novo Nordisk and VLST Corporation, a Seattle-based biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, have entered into an exclusive, worldwide collaboration agreement to develop therapeutic targets utilising VLST's technology platform in the fields of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

GlaxoSmithKline has announced a new global policy to voluntarily stop all corporate political contributions. In the past, GSK - in common with many companies and in full compliance with local laws - has made a number of corporate contributions in countries such as the US and Canada. GSK's new policy will ensure that no such contributions will be made in the future.

Glivec® (imatinib) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the post-surgery treatment of adult patients following complete surgical removal of Kit (CD117)-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

AstraZeneca and MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have announced an exclusive worldwide agreement to develop and commercialise Unit Dose Budesonide (UDB), MAP Pharmaceuticals' proprietary nebulised formulation of budesonide. UDB is being developed by MAP Pharmaceuticals as a potential treatment for paediatric asthma and is currently in Phase III clinical development.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Abbott's TRILIPIX(TM) (fenofibric acid) delayed-release capsules for use along with diet to help lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and to raise HDL cholesterol in patients with lipid problems.

The Bayer Group is to further expand its research and development activities despite the current financial and economic crisis. "The task now is to set the right course. Only through innovation can our company generate the growth that is essential to safeguard its sustained success," said Werner Wenning, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, in an address given in front of 130 journalists during the "Bayer's Perspective on Innovation 2008" press forum in Leverkusen.