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.

The European Commission (EC) has taken an EU-wide legally binding decision and confirmed the favorable benefit/risk profile of ambroxol and bromhexine containing medicines. This decision follows the opinion of the Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures - Human (CMDh) as well as the recommendation of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) within the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the launch of its new consumer brand Vivera® in Latin America. Vivera is being launched first in Chile in January 2016, to be followed by several major Latin American markets later in 2016.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) have signed an exclusive agreement to conduct joint research to identify drug candidates targeting an undisclosed G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which belongs to the group of orphan CNS receptors.