Sandoz, a Novartis company and the global leader in biosimilars, announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted their Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for its biosimilar to Amgen's EU-licensed Neulasta®* (pegfilgrastim) - a long-acting recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

With Grants4Indications™ Bayer has launched its fifth global crowdsourcing initiative. This latest web-based grant program promotes the exploration of new indications with the aim to discover novel potential therapeutic areas for Bayer compounds.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the executive leadership team for the combined Pfizer and Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) business following the close of the proposed transaction.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and Pfizer Inc. (NSYE:PFE) have entered into a collaboration agreement with Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: PTLA) to develop and commercialize the investigational agent andexanet alfa in Japan. Andexanet alfa, which is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe, is designed to reverse the anticoagulant activity of Factor Xa inhibitors, including Eliquis (apixaban).

To mark National Cancer Prevention Month, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation today announced eight grants totaling nearly $11.5 million that will help make lung and skin cancer screening programs, care and patient support more accessible to underserved populations.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and Alere Inc. (NYSE: ALR) announced today a definitive agreement for Abbott to acquire Alere, significantly advancing Abbott's global diagnostics presence and leadership. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will pay $56 per common share at a total expected equity value of $5.8 billion.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced two appointments in two regions important for its biopharma business. Gary Zieziula will lead Merck's biopharma business in North America and Marc Horn will take the helm of the biopharma business in China.