Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Dezima Pharma B.V. (Dezima) today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive acquisition agreement under which Amgen will acquire Dezima, a privately-held, Netherlands-based biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for dyslipidemia. Dezima shareholders have approved the agreement.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Xencor, Inc. (Xencor) (NASDAQ:XNCR) announced today that the two companies have entered into a research and license agreement to develop and commercialize novel therapeutics in the areas of cancer immunotherapy and inflammation. The research collaboration brings together Amgen's capabilities in target discovery and protein therapeutics with Xencor's XmAb® bispecific technology platform.

The Bayer Science & Education Foundation is making available approximately EUR 332,000 for 70 talented young people who wish to realize international study and vocational training projects. The new scholarship recipients are students of the natural sciences, agriculture and medicine, as well those training to become science teachers or young people from skilled non-academic professions.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced today that Crucell Holland B.V., one of its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, has been awarded $28.5 million from The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to help accelerate the development of its investigational Ebola prime-boost vaccine regimen.

For the seventh consecutive year, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry. "We are very proud of this recognition," said Roche CEO Severin Schwan.

For the third consecutive year, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has been named the leading company in its industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), one of the most prestigious global benchmarks for corporate responsibility and sustainability. As the Industry Group Leader in Health Care Equipment & Services, Abbott is the only U.S.-based company of the 24 companies recognized for leading their respective industry groups.

AstraZeneca today added to its biologics manufacturing capability in the US with the purchase of a high-tech biologics bulk manufacturing facility from Amgen Inc. Over time, the LakeCentre facility, located in Boulder, Colorado will increase manufacturing and production capacity to support the company’s extensive portfolio of biologics medicines.