Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced its corporate venture arm Merck Ventures created iOnctura SA, Geneva, Switzerland. This immuno-oncology spin-out company was formed around two assets from the Healthcare R&D portfolio of Merck and three assets from Cancer Research Technology (CRT).

Novartis announced the results of a new survey of 904 severe asthma patients, presented for the first time at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Congress[1]. Data from the 'Still Fighting for Breath' survey demonstrate that, despite the widespread availability of oral and inhaled treatments, asthma still places a huge burden on the personal and professional lives of those living with the disease in Europe.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and SK Biotek Co., Ltd. today announced the companies have signed a definitive purchase agreement to sell Bristol-Myers Squibb's small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility in Swords, Ireland, to SK Biotek, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SK Holdings, based in Seoul, South Korea.

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced results from the pivotal Phase III VOLTAIRE®-RA(1) study, confirming that its adalimumab biosimilar candidate BI 695501 and HUMIRA®* have similar efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The 24 week results will be presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2017) in Madrid.

Novo Nordisk has announced the primary results from DEVOTE - the first randomised, double-blind, treat-to-target, event-driven trial comparing two basal insulins, Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection 100 U/mL) and insulin glargine U100, in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Today, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) employees from 145 company sites in 70 countries participate in the 14th Roche Children's Walk. The annual event raises funds for children’s education and health initiatives in more than 90 communities around the world. The company matches all funds raised for the campaign.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for tanezumab for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic low back pain (CLBP). Tanezumab is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets, binds to and inhibits nerve growth factor (NGF).