Novo Nordisk has announced the top-line results from the LEADER trial, which investigated the cardiovascular safety of Victoza® (liraglutide) over a period of up to 5 years in more than 9,000 adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) has entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. (GS&Co.) to repurchase $5 billion of Pfizer's common stock. This agreement is part of Pfizer's existing share repurchase authorization.

AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for the investigational anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, MEDI-551, for the treatment of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) as well as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

Sanofi Pasteur and MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, today announced their intent to end their joint vaccines operations in Europe. Upon concluding their joint venture, both companies plan to integrate their respective European vaccine businesses into their operations, independently manage their product portfolios and pursue their own distinct growth strategies in Europe.

GSK has announced the winners of its third Discovery Fast Track Challenge. The programme is sponsored by GSK's Discovery Partnerships with Academia (DPAc) group to provide an opportunity for academic researchers in Europe and North America to collaborate with GSK and explore novel ideas for potential medicines.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and LabCentral, an innovative, shared laboratory space designed as a launch pad for life-sciences and biotech startups, today announced an agreement in which Bristol-Myers Squibb has become a LabCentral platinum sponsor.

Merck, Pfizer and Verastem have entered into an agreement to evaluate avelumab*, an investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, in combination with Verastem's VS-6063**, an investigational focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor, in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.