Allergan plc today confirmed that it has been approached by Pfizer Inc. and is in preliminary friendly discussions regarding a potential business combination transaction. Allergan stated that no agreement has been reached and there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction, or as to the terms on which a transaction, if any, might be agreed.

The Novartis Foundation and its partners have begun screening patients in the Community-based Hypertension Improvement Project (ComHIP), a two-year program designed to evaluate the impact of an innovative healthcare model on hypertension management and control in Ghana.

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Biologics License Application for IMLYGICTM (talimogene laherparepvec), a genetically modified oncolytic viral therapy indicated for the local treatment of unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous and nodal lesions in patients with melanoma recurrent after initial surgery.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today reported results for the third quarter of 2015, which were highlighted by strong global sales, key regulatory and clinical milestones in Immuno-Oncology and the completion of several business development transactions strengthening the company's diversified pipeline.

Sales of the Roche Group increased 6% to CHF 35.5 billion in the first nine months. Growth was driven by all regions in the Pharmaceuticals Division and Professional Diagnostics' sales. The Swiss franc strengthened considerably against the euro during the first nine months of 2015, whilst weakening against the US dollar.

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) today announced an extension to their existing immuno-oncology collaboration exploring novel combination therapies for the treatment of patients with solid tumours. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, AstraZeneca and Lilly will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations across the companies' complementary portfolios.

Novartis announced today that it is broadening its portfolio of cancer immunotherapies with the acquisition of Admune Therapeutics and licensing agreements with Palobiofarma and XOMA Corporation. With four candidates currently in clinical trials and five more agents expected to enter the clinic by the end of 2016,