Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) injection, for intravenous use, for the treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

AstraZeneca today announced that it has completed the transaction to acquire the rights to Actavis' branded respiratory business in the US and Canada. As previously announced, the strategic transaction strengthens AstraZeneca's respiratory franchise globally and builds on the acquisition of Almirall's respiratory portfolio in 2014

Novartis announced today that it has completed a series of transactions with GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), including the acquisition of certain oncology products and pipeline compounds from GSK, the creation of a world-leading consumer healthcare business through a joint venture that combines the two companies' consumer divisions, and the divestiture of the Novartis non-influenza Vaccines business to GSK.

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) and Meritage Pharma, Inc. announced today that Shire has acquired Meritage, a privately-held company, for an upfront fee of $70 million and additional contingent payments based on the achievement of development and regulatory milestones.

Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Farydak® (panobinostat, previously known as LBH589) capsules in combination with bortezomib* and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior regimens, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory (IMiD) agent[1].

Sanofi announced today that it has entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Dutch biotech Lead Pharma to discover, develop and commercialize small-molecule therapies directed against the nuclear hormone receptors called ROR gamma t to treat a broad range of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, which are among the most common.

GSK has acquired GlycoVaxyn AG, a specialist vaccine biopharmaceutical company based in Switzerland. Since forming a scientific collaboration in 2012, GSK has held a minority stake in GlycoVaxyn and has now acquired the remaining shares for US $190 million (approximately £124 million) in cash to take full ownership of the company.